The most severe probe in Juventus history may lead to a ban from Serie A for the club. The investigations surrounding the Turin giants have been described by a leading Italian lawyer as the toughest test the club has ever faced and could push its fortunes backward in the standings and reputation.
In the wake of a turbulent period before 2020, the last two seasons have failed to bring the expected trophies on Italian soil or in European competitions, and the club now confronts a new wave of scrutiny that threatens its domestic peak and international ambitions.
Current on-field results show a scoreline that leaves the team far from the top of the league table and with a stumbling exit from major European competition. The season has not gone according to plan, with a significant gap to the league leader and a troubling early departure from the Champions League knockout rounds.
Off the pitch, the club has been shaken by leadership changes as all board members, including the chairman, have stepped down. Andrea Agnelli, the former president, along with notable executives such as Pavel Nedved and Maurizio Arrivabene, have exited their roles amid ongoing investigations.
Turin’s public prosecutor opened a formal inquiry into financial irregularities at the club at the start of the pandemic period. The probe focuses on documentation and transactions surrounding the 2018 to 2020 timeframe, including allegations of forged signatures and questionable governance practices that could implicate multiple board members.
Investigators are reviewing the balance sheets from the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, seeking evidence of irregular commissions and the possible creation of fictitious capital gains for tax purposes. The case has drawn attention from lawyers who specialize in sports law, who note the potential implications for both corporate law and sporting regulations.
Mattia Grassani, a sports law attorney, has commented that the case represents one of the most serious investigations the club has faced. He pointed to the gravity of the alleged offenses and the breadth of the alleged misconduct, which includes stock market and corporate governance aspects, as investigators press for the hearing timeline set by the Turin prosecutor’s office.
As the legal process unfolds, there is a sense of gravity about the club’s future. The authorities are examining the evidence with a view to determining whether any wrongdoing affected the team’s fiscal reporting and competitive decisions during the critical years in question. The outcome could influence both the club’s standing in Italian football and its international reputation, with consequences that extend beyond the current season and into the club’s broader strategic plans.