Juventus‘ capital gains case just isn’t going away. Many months have passed since things spectacularly came to a head in November 2022 with the resignation of their entire board, and the Bianconeri have since been hit with a 15-point deduction and then had that punishment suspended. On Monday, May 22, 2023, we should have more news on what the Old Lady’s punishment will be.
According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Juventus will again be handed a points deduction on Monday, though this time a slightly reduced punishment of 12 points, as opposed to the 15 originally taken from their on-field total. They will again have the chance to appeal any decision taken, forcing a sixth trial. Although a verdict may arrive as early as Monday, Sky Sport Italia have reported that the court will have five days to deliver a decision.
Serie A table after Juventus points deduction
A 12-point deduction would again see Juventus fall dramatically down the Serie A table. Their previous punishment saw them fall as low as mid-table earlier in the season, though this time it will not be as extreme as the top seven sides have built up sufficient breathing room to separate themselves from the chasing pack.
Should Juventus be deducted 12 points, the Bianconeri would fall to seventh in the Serie A table. This would mean that each of Inter, Lazio, AC Milan, Atalanta and AS Roma would move up a place.
- The Champions League places would then consist of Napoli, Inter, Lazio and AC Milan;
- Atalanta would occupy the Europa League place;
- AS Roma would be sitting in the Europa Conference League qualification place.
It should be noted that even in the event of Juventus occupying one of the European qualification places on offer in Serie A, their participation in any UEFA competition for 2023/23 is in doubt. UEFA have opened their own parallel investigation into the Bianconeri, and many expect them to be banned from taking part in the Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League irrespective of their Serie A finish.
Why might UEFA punish Juventus?
Juventus were fined €3.5 million in September 2022 for Financial Fair Play violations and they could have paid up to €23 million had it not been for the signing of various agreements based on balance sheets they provided to the organisation.
These are the same balance sheets used by both the FIGC and the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Turin for their respective capital gains investigations. Numerous directors formerly of Juventus have been punished for their roles in capital gains fraud, but for UEFA, it needs to go even further.
The Bianconeri settled on a fine for Financial Fair Play, acknowledging that they were outside of the parameters. However, the plea bargain would not have been granted if the reported figures were false, and Juventus’ disqualification from the Champions League, Europa Leagua and/or Europa Conference League is possible.
While the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City inflated sponsorship values, the revenues generated were real figures. Meanwhile, Juventus have been accused of falsifying balance sheets.
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