Give it up lads, it’s not happening
President of the Italian Football Federation Gabriele Gravina has said Juventus could be kicked out of Serie A if they do not formally withdraw from the European Super League.
All but three of the 12 teams who announced they would be taking part in the Super League have since withdrawn in the face of fan protests and pushback from football’s governing bodies, but Juventus, with Real Madrid and Barcelona, remain determined to make it happen.
“The rules are clear. If Juventus is still part of the Super League when it enters next season, it can’t participate in Serie A,” Gravina told Naples radio station Kiss Kiss.
“I would be sorry for the fans but rules are rules and they apply to everyone. I hope this holdout ends soon.”
Juventus’ nine-year run of consecutive league title victories came to an end last weekend when Inter Milan clinched their first Scudetto since 2010, as Juve languish in fifth, under the very real threat of playing Europa League football next season.
This would be another severe blow to their finances, which are already in bad shape after the effects of the pandemic – felt by everyone – and the drain on resources that Cristiano Ronaldo’s wages create.
It should therefore come as no surprise that club president Andrea Agnelli is so hellbent on making the Super League happen. But with only two other clubs to play against, there is no conceivable way that it will go ahead.
On Saturday, Juve issued a joint statement with Real Madrid and Barcelona, explaining that: “We are ready to reconsider the proposed approach, as necessary. However, we would be highly irresponsible if, being aware of the needs and systemic crisis in the football sector, which led us to announce the Super League, we abandoned such mission to provide effective and sustainable answers to the existential questions that threaten the football industry.”
