President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli met FIGC commissioner Guido Rossi and CONI chief Gianni Petrucci in Rome on Wednesday where it seems that the Old Lady have been persuaded to reject the TAR Lazio route.
“It was an important meeting between Juventus and football’s governing bodies,” noted Cobolli Gigli. “The board of directors will now evaluate the situation, but I believe there is a good chance that the club will decide to return within the sporting justice system.”
Juventus, who were demoted to Serie B and handed a 17-point deduction for this season, failed in their conciliation meeting in front of CONI two weeks ago. They then threatened to take their case to the civil courts, but now look likely to opt for a CONI arbitration hearing in an effort to get their point deduction reduced.
The FIGC and FIFA had both warned Juventus that they could face further sanctions if they went ahead with a civil action. “Juventus are aware of what we think, we have not changed our mind and will not change it in the future,” added Rossi. “At the time being I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic, I only believe that the club must remain within sporting justice, that is the only way to solve this issue.”
CONI President Petrucci mirrored Rossi’s stance. “I hope the club immediately decides to go to arbitration,” he stated. “I believe that sporting justice is autonomous and self-sufficient and this kind of problem must be solved within its jurisdiction.”
Reports suggest that Juventus may obtain the cancellation of the additional sanctions – a three-match home ban and a 120,000 Euros fine - and see their point-deficit reduced, maybe to 10 or seven points. However, there seems to be no margins of argument for the 2005-06 Scudetto to be reassigned to the Bianconeri |
