The concerns reported regarding UEFA’s pending punishment for Juventus came to fruition. On Friday, July 28, 2023, UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) announced the final disciplinary measures against the club.
The UEFA Verdict
The CFCB found that Juventus had violated UEFA’s regulatory framework and breached the settlement agreement they signed in August 2022 concerning Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. The alleged financial falsifications, particularly the overstating of capital gains and using suspicious balance sheets, formed the core of the violation.
The penalties imposed were:
- Exclusion from Competition: Juventus is banned from participating in the 2023/24 UEFA men’s club competitions. Since the club had finished seventh in Serie A, they had qualified for the Europa Conference League. This ban effectively removed them from European competition for the season.
- Financial Fine: The club is ordered to pay a financial contribution of €20 million. Crucially, €10 million of this fine is conditional and would only be enforced if Juventus fails to comply with FFP regulations and accounting requirements in their financial statements for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Juventus’ Response
Following the ruling, Juventus President Gianluca Ferrero confirmed that the club will not appeal the UEFA decision. This move is to prioritize stability, as appealing through further legal channels would prolong the uncertainty surrounding their participation in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League.
“We regret the decision of the UEFA Club Financial Control Body. We do not share the interpretation that has been given of our defence, and we remain firmly convinced of the legitimacy of our actions and the validity of our arguments,” Ferrero said. “However, we have decided not to appeal this judgment… we prefer to put an end to the period of uncertainty and ensure full visibility and certainty… with respect to the results achievable on the pitch.”
The team that finished eighth in Serie A, Fiorentina, will take Juventus’ vacant spot in the 2023/24 Europa Conference League.
