Sports
Juventus banned from Europe ahead of 2023/24 season
In a surprising development, Italian giants Juventus are set to abstain from European competition for the upcoming 2023/24 season due to concerns regarding financial fair play, according to reports.
The Turin-based club, known for their rich footballing history, has experienced numerous off-field controversies, including a match-fixing scandal that led to their relegation from Serie A in 2006.
This time, Juventus faced repercussions for alleged false accounting in their transfer dealings, resulting in a ten-point deduction in May.
In addition to the points deduction, several members of Juventus’ former board, who resigned en masse in November, faced bans from football activities following an investigation by Turin public prosecutors into possible false bookkeeping.
Among those affected was former president Andrea Agnelli. The punishment saw Juventus drop from their second-place position in Serie A, losing their Champions League qualification spot and finishing in seventh place.
Despite the seventh-place finish, which still warranted participation in the Europa Conference League this season, Corriere dello Sport reports that Juventus has reached an agreement with UEFA to withdraw from European competitions altogether for the current campaign.
The decision aims to prevent further sanctions for breaching financial fair play regulations, ultimately safeguarding the club’s aspirations of participating in the prestigious Champions League in the 2024/25 season.
According to sources, Juventus’ new leadership considers the reported agreement with UEFA a manageable sacrifice as they embark on a new chapter in the club’s history. The decision reflects their commitment to rectifying financial irregularities and complying with governing bodies’ regulations.
The previous season proved challenging for Juventus, as their off-field issues compounded disappointment on the pitch.
The team endured an early exit from the Champions League group stage, suffering five defeats in six matches, including a humiliating 2-0 loss to Maccabi Haifa.
Relocated to the Europa League, they showed a modest improvement, reaching the semifinals but narrowly losing 3-2 on aggregate to eventual champions Sevilla.
Despite these underwhelming performances, Juventus’ manager Massimiliano Allegri managed to retain his position. In recent weeks, the club has also been linked with a high-profile transfer move for striker Romelu Lukaku, who appears poised to leave Chelsea after his loan spell at Inter Milan.
While Juventus fans may experience a temporary absence from European competition, the club’s decision to voluntarily withdraw aims to address financial fair play concerns and secure their future participation in elite tournaments.
The upcoming season will be crucial for Juventus to rebuild and reinforce their position both on and off the field.
