Setback for Juve after 10 points docked

Juventus encountered a disastrous setback on Monday, dropping to seventh place following a 10-point penalty and a 4-1 defeat against Empoli. Juve had been previously docked 15 points for inflating transfer fees to augment profits in January.

This penalty was temporarily revoked when they lodged an appeal.

However, on Monday, the Federal Court of Appeal delivered its verdict, imposing a 10-point penalty on Juve.

This judgment seemingly unsettled Juve’s squad on the pitch as they conceded three goals after the first half. Despite Federico Chiesa scoring a late goal in the 85th minute, Roberto Piccoli clinched a comfortable victory for Empoli in stoppage time.

With the point deduction and the loss, Juve slid from second to seventh place, an outcome that also assured Lazio of a Champions League spot.

In other matches, Roma extended their winless streak, battling back twice to secure a 2-2 draw against Salernitana.

Napoli have already secured the Serie A title and, before Monday’s ruling, were 17 points ahead of second-placed Juve.

“It was a strange situation, 10 minutes before the match the sentence came out,” said Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri.

“Summing up a season in an evening like this is an understatement. Juventus are used to winning, we have to close ranks.”

In April, a tribunal at Italy’s Olympic Committee (CONI) revoked Juve’s 15-point penalty from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) appeals court.

It asked the appeals court to revise punishments to the club and some key figures, including former vice-chairman Pavel Nedved, who was originally given an eightmonth suspension.

Nedved has now been acquitted alongside club officials Paolo Garimberti, Assia Grazioli Venier, Caitlin Mary Hughes, Daniela Marilungo, Francesco Roncaglio and Enrico Vellano.

Long bans given to former chairman Andrea Agnelli, exchief executive Maurizio Arrivabene and sporting directors

Federico Cherubini and Fabio Paratici have now been upheld.

A Juventus statement said that the club “takes note” of the decision and “reserves the right to read the reasons to evaluate a possible appeal” to CONI.

Juve’s loss at Empoli on Monday leaves them five points behind AC Milan, who occupy the final Champions League spot, with two games to play - and Juve host Milan on Sunday.