After multiple reports, Juventus have now released a statement confirming they are leaving the European Super League project, with only Real Madrid and Barcelona remaining, but deny threats from UEFA.
“With reference to rumors that appeared in today’s press, Juventus Football Club S.p.A. (“Juventus” or the “Company”) informs that it has transmitted a communication to the two remaining clubs that, as Juventus, have not exercised their withdrawal from the Super League Project (Football Club Barcelona and Real Madrid Club de Futbol) in order to initiate a discussion period among the three clubs concerning the potential Juventus’ exit from the Super League Project.
“The Company will proceed with any communications due under the law following the outcome of the interlocutions and evaluations regarding the above, clarifying that many of the reconstructed version published by the media about the contents of the communication (including any reference to alleged threats of potential sanctions by UEFA) are not true. For more information on the Super League Project, please refer to the press releases issued by the Company on 19 April and 21 April 2021.”
The story first emerged in Spain with Relevo, as Real Madrid and Barcelona both received letters from new CEO Maurizio Scanavino informing them that Juve were backing out of the project.
Diario AS then claimed it was because UEFA were threatening to exclude Juventus from their tournaments for the next five years.
The project was first announced by 12 European clubs in April 2021, but within 48 hours the entire plan had fallen apart, with only three clubs still attached.
They were Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus, but now just the two Spaniards remain.
It is part of a wider attempt from the new Juve hierarchy to distance themselves from the Andrea Agnelli era, as the President and his entire board of directors resigned a few months ago amid a scandal over financial irregularities.
That resulted in a 10-point Serie A penalty and a ban for Agnelli, Maurizio Arrivabene and Fabio Paratici.