Juventus president risks suspension over illegal ticket sales

MILAN: Juventus president Andrea Agnelli could be banned for 2½ years after disciplinary proceedings began into alleged ticket sales to ultras fan groups, some with links to organised crime.

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) prosecutor Giuseppe Pecoraro has requested a 30-month suspension

€

and 50,000 (RM250,400) fine against Agnelli, according to reports in the Italian media.

Pecoraro also demanded two Juventus matches be played behind closed doors and the club pay a

€

300,000 (RMRM1.5mil) fine. A European extension of the ban was also requested with Agnelli having recently been elected president of the European clubs association.

Agnelli is accused of helping sell tickets to Juventus ultras fans, several of whom have links with organised crime.

The tickets were then resold for a huge profit.

However, the six-time defending Serie A champions have said that they will not request Agnelli to step down if he is found guilty.

No official from the Turin club have been convicted in the civil part of this case, Agnelli having only been heard as a witness.

Agnelli has denied dealing with Rocco Dominello, a supporter very close to the Calabria-based N’drangheta mafia who was sentenced to more than seven years in prison in this case but recalls meeting him.

Juventus are accused of having ceded blocks of tickets to ultras group when they are not allowed to sell more than four at a time.

Agnelli’s lawyer was quoted by

Calcio e Finanza as saying he was looking for the case against the Juventus boss to be dismissed.

A decision is expected within 10 days. — AFP