Why UEFA Bans Juventus From European Football

Juventus has received a one-year suspension from participating in European competition for breaking UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.

The Serie A giants, who had earned a spot in the Europa Conference League after finishing seventh in Serie A last season after their 10-point deduction, will no longer participate in the tournament. 

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They were also fined €20 million (£17 million/$22 million) by the organisation that oversees European football, in addition to the suspension.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) docked Juventus 15 points initially for the “Plusvalenza” scam, in which the club exaggerated the value of some players it sold to balance its accounts. 

Following an appeal, this was overturned, and a fresh sentence was issued with a 10 point penalty rather than a 15 point fine. Juve was able to leave the Champions League and move into the Conference League with just enough.

Gianluca Ferrero, the president of Juventus, issued the following statement: “We regret the UEFA decision. We disagree with the interpretation of our defence that has been offered, and we are still adamant that our actions and claims are true. We have chosen not to challenge this ruling, nonetheless.

“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.”

For the first time since the 2011–12 season, Juventus will no longer participate in any European competition. Due to a lack of cash from UEFA competition, the club may be forced to sell one of its larger talents, likely Federico Chiesa or Dusan Vlahovic.

Over the next three years, the club must reduce its club debt and become FFP compliant; during that time, losses cannot total more than €60 million (£51 million/$66 million).