Juve to appeal match fixing ruling

Juventus will appeal the Italian Football Federation’s (FIGC) decision to allow Inter to keep their 2006 Serie A title.

Inter were retrospectively awarded the title after it was stripped from Juventus after the 2006 Calciopoli match-fixing scandal, in which the Turin club was caught trying to influence referees and referee selection to effect the outcome of matches.

However, a report from a federal prosecutor earlier this month accused Inter of also having illegal contact with referees, and Juventus lodged a request with the FIGC to leave the 2006 title vacant.

But the governing body announced on Monday that there was ‘no judicial basis for the revocation’ of the 2006 Scudetto from Inter, a decision which Juventus said smacked of double standards.

“The decision of today’s Federal Council confirms a completely different treatment for similar situations,” Juventus said in a statement.

“The petition submitted 14 months ago by Juventus allowed for a deep examination, unfortunately not followed by any acceptance of responsibility by the sports bodies involved, who instead dismissed their political role as governance.”

“It is understood that, in order to protect their millions of fans, as well as the shareholders and employees, Juventus must pursue the right and proper verification of facts while looking for treatment equality.”

“Therefore, the club’s lawyers have been given the mandate to identify the best protection instruments in administrative and international law.”

“Since today’s decision is far from providing equality and justice, Juventus want to assert all the internationally applicable rules at every relevant office.”

Reports in Italy suggest Juventus will appeal against the FIGC’s decision by taking their case to the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

The Calciopoli scandal led to Juventus being stripped of the league titles they had won in 2005 and 2006, as well as being relegated to Serie B and deducted nine points.

Fellow Serie A clubs Fiorentina, AC Milan and Lazio were also deducted points for their roles in the scandal.