Juventus hit with points penalty after investigation

Italian football finds itself embroiled in scandal once more as record title holders Juventus have been handed a 15 point deduction after an investigation into their past transfer activity.

It has been alleged that the Turin side doctored their balance sheets in regards to transfers made by the club.

Juventus will appeal the decision and can take the case as far as the Court of Arbitration for Sport should it be required.

All of this has led to a raft of resignations from the club board with former player Pavel Nedved departing and controversial figure Andrea Agnelli also leaving his post. Agnelli was a major driving force behind the failed European Super League plans and has been critical of spending by Premier League clubs.

With the deduction in place. Massimiliano Allegri’s outfit have dropped from third in Serie A to tenth.

It has been argued that the timing of this may be better than had it been applied at the start of next season. Juventus have a chance to regroup now and although it would appear unlikely, have half a season to bridge a twelve point gap to the Champions League places.

It has been far from a vintage year for the former European champions having already departed this season’s competition and they looked well short of competing for the title having suffered a 5-1 defeat at leaders Napoli just last week.

Sunday’s clash with Atalanta will offer an immediate opportunity to cut the gap to a major rival to nine points which also marks the halfway point in the Italian season.

Tottenham could also find themselves affected by the news as sporting director Fabio Paratici has been banned for two and a half years due to his previous involvement at the ‘Old Lady’.

It remains to be seen if this ban will be applied worldwide but it throws further trouble Spurs’ way with rumours also swirling about the future of manager Antonio Conte whose contract expires in the summer.

It is not the first time Juventus have found themselves in bother with the authorities having been demoted to Serie B in 2006 due to their involvement in a match-fixing scandal.

As much as rival fans will probably revel in the travails of ‘I Bianconeri’, it is a blow to the reputation of Italian football once more and one that may affect things such as TV deal negotiations going forward.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt