A statement explains Napoli’s appeal against the 3-0 defeat at Juventus and point penalty was accepted because the club ‘did not act in bad faith.’
The club cancelled its trip to Turin for the Serie A game on October 4 after advice from the local health authority (ASL) due to two positive COVID-19 tests in the squad.
They were told to self-isolate and therefore could not travel by plane to Turin for the match.
A statement explains Napoli’s appeal against the 3-0 defeat at Juventus and point penalty was accepted because the club ‘did not act in bad faith.’
The club cancelled its trip to Turin for the Serie A game on October 4 after advice from the local health authority (ASL) due to two positive COVID-19 tests in the squad.
They were told to self-isolate and therefore could not travel by plane to Turin for the match.
The Lega Serie A and FIGC first two levels of appeal had stated Napoli didn’t stick to the existing Serie A protocol for COVID cases, which would’ve required far more than two positive players to block travel.
It was argued Napoli had tried to ‘engineer’ the travel ban by calling the ASL to request more information.
However, the CONI Collegio di Garanzia accepted Napoli’s appeal that they had followed the advice of the ASL, which has precedence over the football authorities, after being legally obliged to inform them.
The official reasoning behind that appeal verdict has now been released, making clear that Napoli did “not act in bad faith” when cancelling their journey to Turin.
“Napoli applied the protocol,” in that the Government decree at that time confirmed the ASL had the authority to order the squad into isolation for 14 days.
“This excludes any responsibility of the club” in making the decision to stay behind.
Napoli then released a statement in response, thanking the CONI appeals court for “fully restoring the dignity and image of SSC Napoli, recognising the team had been ordered not to travel, as predicted by the existing decree.”