FOOTBALL

Fear for Juventus with Uefa, risk of one-year stop

History shows that in the past, UEFA tended to be rather tolerant of football clubs displaying 'creative' behaviour (such as PSG and Manchester City). However, the context has changed in recent years, with a stricter attitude, although reluctant to exclude top clubs. 

The settlement 'settled' the Italian issue, practically guaranteeing Juventus a place in the next European tournaments (either Europa League or Conference League). However, access to Europe is still not assured. The club is under investigation for alleged violation of Financial Fair Play. The range of possible sanctions is vast, ranging from a fine to exclusion from European tournaments. The matter is not over until it is officially over, and that moment still seems distant. 

In 2022, PSG accepted a penalty of EUR 65 million: at the moment it has only paid EUR 10 million (15%), and if it does not meet its targets in the next three years, it would have to pay the other EUR 50 million. In 2020, Manchester City was disqualified for two years and fined 30 million: the TAS overturned the ruling, deeming the sponsorships accounted for as legitimate, and reduced the fine to 10 million. The message is clear: Juventus risks a lot.

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The complex current scenario
It is not over until it is officially over, and that moment still seems distant. The settlement has 'resolved' the Italian issue, practically guaranteeing Juventus a place in the next European tournaments, be it in the Europa League or Conference League. However, access to Europe is not yet assured. The club is under investigation for alleged violation of Financial Fair Play. The spectrum of potential sanctions is broad, ranging from a fine to exclusion from European tournaments.
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A difficult period for Juventus
For the second consecutive time, Juventus will end the season without a title. This has not happened often in the club's history, let us look at the most recent cases. The question is whether, after two years without titles, history indicates that after failures comes a turning point for Juventus.
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UEFA's change
At one time, UEFA tended to be rather tolerant of clubs displaying 'creative' behaviour (such as PSG and Manchester City). However, the context has changed in recent years, with a stricter attitude, although reluctant to exclude top clubs.
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Recent sanctions
In 2022, PSG accepted a penalty of EUR 65 million, pays only EUR 10 million at the moment (15%), and if it does not meet its targets in the next three years, it would have to pay the other EUR 50 million. In 2020, Manchester City was disqualified for two years and fined 30 million: the TAS overturned the ruling, deeming the booked sponsorships legitimate, and reduced the fine to 10 million.
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Fair play investigation and Juventus.
Juventus has been under investigation for Financial Fair Play since 1 December. The aim is to check whether it has violated the rules and the agreement reached with UEFA in September. The salary settlement does not affect UEFA's investigation, but could be seen as a kind of admission.
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The timetable of decisions
The review body is expected to issue a decision by mid-June. The procedure will follow the standard route: appeal and, in the third instance, the TAS. The urgency is due to the fact that at the end of August the conference league playoffs are played and there are cup draws.
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The possible penalties
The severity of the penalty depends on two factors: the size of the violation and intentionality. Juventus has reached an agreement, a plea bargain, with UEFA to pay only 3.5 million instead of 23. The 'settlement' helps the teams that abide by the rules but can become a nightmare for those that fail to meet targets or provide false information.
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The Super League question
Added to this is the political issue of the Superleague. If the EU Court does not come to a decision by July, the discussion will resume from the end of August onwards. Should the Court confirm Advocate General Rantos' opinion, the clubs could organise a Superleague incompatible with the Champions League. It would not be UEFA that would exclude Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona from the cups, but the EU.
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