Juventus, the two-time European champions, have faced severe consequences as they were expelled from the Europa Conference League for their involvement in a false accounting case. This ruling was expected following the club’s deduction of 10 points in Serie A, which resulted in Juventus missing out on Champions League qualification. As a result of their expulsion, Fiorentina will now take Juventus’ place in the Europa Conference League playoffs beginning on August 24th.
Financial Fair Play Breaches and Fines
In addition to their expulsion, Juventus has been fined €10 million by UEFA for breaking financial fair play (FFP) rules. Should the club fail to comply with UEFA financial monitoring rules in the future, they will face an additional €10 million deduction. While Juventus expressed regret over the ruling, club president Gianluca Ferrero stated that they would not be appealing the decision. Despite this setback, the club is determined to shift its focus to the upcoming season and redirect their attention from the courts to the field.
Chelsea’s Fines and Incomplete Financial Reporting
Separately, Chelsea, the winners of the 2021 Champions League, have been ordered to pay a settlement of €10 million to UEFA. This fine is a result of the club submitting incorrect financial information between 2012 and 2019, during the ownership of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. In May last year, Chelsea’s current American-led ownership group disclosed potentially incomplete financial reporting that occurred under the club’s previous ownership. As a consequence, Chelsea did not qualify for any European competitions in the upcoming season.
Chelsea’s Response and Commitment to Compliance
In a statement, Chelsea expressed gratitude that the case has been concluded through proactive disclosure of information to UEFA and a settlement. The club emphasized its commitment to full compliance and transparency with regulators and looks forward to strengthening its relationship with UEFA in the years to come.
An investigation was opened against Juventus by UEFA in December for suspected breaches of FFP rules following legal action taken by prosecutors in Italy. The club’s ten-point deduction in Serie A, imposed by Italian authorities, led to the termination of a previously agreed settlement with UEFA and the imposition of further sanctions. As a consequence of these actions, Juventus had to settle for a seventh-place finish in Serie A, failing to secure a spot in the prestigious Champions League. This series of events also resulted in the resignation of key club officials, including President Andrea Agnelli and Vice President Pavel Nedvěd.
Both Juventus and Chelsea have faced significant consequences as a result of their respective financial rules breaches. The expulsion of Juventus from the Europa Conference League and the fine imposed on Chelsea highlight the importance of adhering to UEFA’s financial fair play regulations. While these setbacks are undoubtedly challenging, both clubs are determined to learn from their mistakes, maintain compliance, and refocus their efforts on achieving success on the field.
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