Serie A giants Juventus have just been docked 15 points for the current season after an Italian soccer court embarked on an investigation concerning the club’s transfer dealings, the national soccer federation (FIGC) announced on Friday. In addition, the court also imposed bans on 11 past and present Juventus directors from holding office in Italian soccer.
Before the ruling, a soccer prosecutor had requested a nine-point deduction for the team. As a result of the 15-point deduction, the previously third-placed team in Serie A with 37 points now drops to 10th position, moving them from title contenders to a position outside of qualification for European football.
“We consider this to be a blatant injustice also for millions of fans, which we trust will soon be remedied in the next court,” lawyers representing the club said in response to the court ruling. In addition to denying any wrongdoing, Juventus insists that its accounting continues to comply with industry standards.
In addition, eight other Italian clubs also under investigation were acquitted, including Empoli and Sampdoria.
