A new judgement by an Italian court investigating Juventus’ transfer dealings has resulted in a 10-point deduction for the club.
The decision was disclosed mere moments prior to the club’s Monday night match at Empoli. With two remaining Serie A contests, a victory would bring them within two points of the top four.
Prior to the new ruling, Juventus was in second place behind Serie A champions Napoli with 69 points, but they now find themselves in seventh position, five points out of a Champions League spot.
Juventus said in a statement, “Juventus Football Club takes note of what was decided by the FIGC Court of Appeal and reserves the right to read the reasons to evaluate a possible appeal to the Guarantee Board at CONI.
“What was established by the fifth instance of judgment in this matter, which began more than a year ago, arouses great bitterness in the club and in its millions of supporters who, in the absence of clear rules, find themselves extremely penalised with the application of sanctions that seem to take into account the principle of proportionality.
“While not ignoring the need for urgency, which Juventus has never shied away from during the proceedings, it is emphasised that these are facts that still have to be evaluated by a judge.”
Recall that in January, Juventus were deducted 15 Serie A points for alleged financial irregularities and false accounting, but it was later lifted.
