Italian sports papers analyse Juventus’ point penalty, blaming the timing of the FIGC ruling, while Tuttosport adds the Bianconeri were punished ‘because of the Super League.’
The Serie A giants have been hit with a 10-point deduction, leaving them out of a Champions League placement with only two games remaining.
La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tuttosport and Il Corriere dello Sport reacted to the FIGC ruling highlighting how the timing of the decision wasn’t ideal as players and media were informed on Monday evening, minutes before Juventus’ away game at Empoli, which they eventually lost 4-1 at the Stadio Castellani.
Corriere dello Sport’s co-editor Alessandro Barbano wrote on page 3: “Why ten points and not nine, 12 or 15? It will be interesting to read the motivations of the Court of Appeal to understand how they will justify the penalty that, from last night, keeps Juventus out of a Champions League placement.
“The timing of the ruling was tragic and confirmed the system is inadequate to regulate the conflicts of one of the country’s most important businesses. To penalise Juventus for next season would have been more logical.”
La Gazzetta’s editor-in-chief added, “The only certainty is that at the end of the season, clubs would not know which European competition they’ll play in 2023-24. Many believe the season has been distorted, including José Mourinho.”
Juventus may be given a second point penalty in June when a new FIGC trial concerning salary manoeuvres, partnerships with other clubs and rapport with agents will take place.
“Juventus fans are not guilty and are waiting for the outcome,” continued Di Caro.
“In the meantime, Allegri has been confirmed waiting to know if Giuntoli will join him although the coach would have preferred another profile. With a wage bill that must be reduced, the predictable departures of Paredes, Di Maria and Rabiot, Vlahovic and Chiesa potentially on the market, Milik, Bonucci and many others on the brink and the return of Arthur, McKennie and Zakaria, Juventus’ future is a riddle.”
The analysis of Tuttosport editor Guido Vaciago was perhaps even harsher as he believes Juventus have been punished because of their role in the creation of the Super League over two years ago.
“Juventus must be punished heavily, scuppered because they attempted to create the Super League,” Vaciago wrote on page 5 of Tuesday’s printed edition.
“More specifically, Juventus must not be involved in European competitions. Well, mission accomplished with five degrees of judgment and a procedure that has never been able to explain how the penalties have been quantified.
“In this way, footballers and the coach are trampled. They have regularly earned their points on the pitch without taking advantage of the accounting infringements committed by the executives.
“This is not justice, it is the administration of power, the test of strength, it is the law of the jungle, but finally applied openly. Evelina Christillin, a member of the UEFA government, very close to Aleksander Ceferin, explained it yesterday [Monday] morning, with questionable timing, given that judges had to rule in the afternoon, but with crystal clear transparency.”