Juventus are kicked out of Europa Conference League

by on July 28 2023 at 03:47 PM

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Juventus are kicked out of Europa Conference League

Juventus have been kicked out of this season's Europa Conference League by Uefa and fined for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

European football's governing body has also fined Chelsea for breaching FFP rules as a result of "submitting incomplete financial information".

Uefa says the matter relates to transactions which took place between 2012 and 2019.

Juventus have been fined £17.14m, while Chelsea have been fined £8.57m.

The Italian club will only have to pay half of their fine if their financial records for the next three years comply with regulations, while Chelsea have already agreed to pay the settlement figure.

The Blues have spent around £600m on 19 new players since new owner Todd Boehly took charge of the club in May 2022, but their fine relates to a seven-year period while Roman Abramovich had control of the club.

Uefa said: "Following the club's sale in May 2022, the new ownership identified, and proactively reported to Uefa, instances of potentially incomplete financial reporting under the club's previous ownership."

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) must now notify Uefa of which club will replace Juve in the third-tier European competition. It is likely to be Fiorentina, who were beaten by West Ham in last year's final, after they finished eighth in Serie A.

The case against Juventus follows a 718,000 euro (£620,000) fine as part of a settlement agreement with Italian football authorities over a case concerning payment of player salaries.

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Juventus had also been docked 10 Serie A points last season following a hearing into the club's past transfer dealings.

They were initially handed a 15-point penalty in January but Italy's highest sporting court overturned that decision in April and ordered the case to be re-examined.

They would have finished fourth and qualified for next season's Champions League had they not been sanctioned.

In response to the charge, Juventus said they accept Uefa's decision and will not be lodging an appeal.

Club president Gianluca Ferrero said: "We regret the decision of the Uefa. 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.

"However, we have decided not to appeal this judgment.

"Lodging an appeal, possibly to other levels of judgement, with uncertain outcomes and timing, would increase the uncertainty with respect to our eventual participation in the 2024/25 Uefa Champions League."

Analysis
BBC football reporter Simon Stone

While they continue to argue their case, Juventus' decision not to appeal against this punishment means it should be the final blow inflicted on the club for trying to manipulate financial rules to cover huge losses and allow them to buy more players.

In addition to May's 10-point deduction, key officials, including former vice-chair Pavel Nedved and sporting director Fabio Paratici, who subsequently moved to Tottenham, were fined by FIGC.

Now Uefa has had its say.

Juventus have activated a major management overhaul since these issues surfaced. They have also signalled an intention to leave the European Super League project, which former chairman Andrea Agnelli was such a believer in.

It does mean they miss out on European football for the first time since 2011-12, although given they won the title instead that season, the first of nine in a row, they may hope it is an omen.

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