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Uefa has knocked Juventus out of the Europa Conference League for violating FFP regulations

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Uefa has knocked Juventus out of the Europa Conference League for violating FFP regulations

Uefa has booted Juventus out of this season’s Europa Conference League and fined them for breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) criteria.

Chelsea was also penalised by European Football’s regulatory body for violating FFP guidelines by “submitting incomplete financial information.”

According to Uefa, the issue concerns transactions that occurred between 2012 and 2019.

Juventus was penalised £17.14 million, while Chelsea was fined £8.57 million.

The Italian club would only have to pay half of their sentence provided their financial records for the next three years are in order, whereas Chelsea has already agreed to pay the settlement amount.

The Blues have spent roughly £600 million on 19 new players since new owner Todd Boehly took over in May 2022, but their sanction is based on a seven-year period when Roman Abramovich was in charge.

According to Uefa, “Following the club’s sale in May 2022, the new ownership identified, and proactively reported to Uefa, instances of potentially incomplete financial reporting under the club’s previous ownership.”

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) must now notify Uefa of which team will take Juve’s spot in Europe’s third division. Fiorentina, who finished seventh in Serie A and was defeated by West Ham in last year’s final, is the most likely candidate.

The action against Juventus stems from a 718,000 euro (£620,000) punishment imposed as part of a settlement agreement reached with Italian football authorities regarding the payment of player salaries.

Juventus also penalised ten Serie A points last season after a hearing into the club’s previous transfer practices.

They were first penalised 15 points in January, but Italy’s top sporting court reversed that judgement in April and demanded that the matter be re-examined.

They would have finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League the following season if they had not been sanctioned.

In reaction to the accusation, Juventus stated that they respect Uefa’s decision and would not appeal.

“We regret the Uefa decision,” stated club president Gianluca Ferrero. We disagree with the interpretation of our defence that has been provided, and we remain strongly confident of the propriety of our acts and the correctness of our arguments.

“However, we have decided not to file an appeal against this judgement.”

“Lodging an appeal, possibly to higher levels of appeal, with uncertain outcomes and timing, would increase the uncertainty surrounding our eventual participation in the Uefa Champions League in 2024/25.”

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It feels like I’ve been here a long time – Mohammed Kudus after scoring his first goal for West Ham

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The Ghanaian international scored his first goal for the club in their 3-1 turnaround win against Serbian side TSC Backa Topola. The West London based club returned to Europa League action on Thursday night after their Europa Conference League win last season as the former Ajax attacking midfielder netted his first goal for the Hummers. Watch Kudus’ post-match interview below:

The Ghanaian international scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 comeback victory over Serbian side TSC Backa Topola.

After winning the Europa Conference League last season, the West London club returned to Europa League play on Thursday night, with the former Ajax offensive midfielder scoring his first goal for the Hummers.

Below is Kudus’ post-match interview:

https://x.com/sportworldghana/status/1704994333353468177?s=20

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“Mohammed Kudus is yet another weapon for David Moyes” – Joe Cole

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Kudus' first goal for West Ham brings his season total to five goals in six games, following his five goals for Ajax before entering the London Stadium. To far, the 23-year-old has scored nine goals in 18 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League. Kudus will now look to make his Premier League debut against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Former West Ham and Chelsea player Joe Cole praised Mohammed Kudus after the summer signing scored his first goal for the club in the team’s 3-1 Europa League victory against Backa Topola.

Kudus, who joined the Hammers for £38 million from Dutch giants Ajax, made his debut appearance for the club. The Ghanaian international was instrumental in West Ham’s comeback after Petar Stanic handed the Serbian visitors an unexpected lead.

Kudus applied pressure at the back post, which resulted in Nemanja Petrovic turning Said Benrahma’s cross into his own net in the 66th minute. Kudus sealed the comeback four minutes later with a headed goal from a James Ward-Prowse corner.

Joe Cole, appearing on TNT Sports, praised Kudus’ performance and believes the attacker will become a useful asset to David Moyes’ West Ham club.

“He [Kudus] looked like he was happy and settled,” Cole remarked. “He is another weapon for David Moyes. I look at this team and I see goals everywhere; it was a great night for West Ham.

Kudus’ first goal for West Ham brings his season total to five goals in six games, following his five goals for Ajax before entering the London Stadium.

To far, the 23-year-old has scored nine goals in 18 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League.

Kudus will now look to make his Premier League debut against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

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George Owu justifies the choice of Andre Ayew in Ghana’s team, emphasising the need of experience

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The club will require Ayew more at this level, according to the former Hasaacas shot-stopper, because the existing players are not properly grounded. "This is a young team with only a few seasoned players. The only experienced players are Andre Ayew and Jordan. Kudus, for example, are suddenly finding their feet," George Owu told Onua Sports. "Andre Ayew has made significant contributions to Ghana football, winning the U-20 World Cup in 2009, but he appears unhappy whenever he plays for Ghana due to the way fans treat him." "We must be patient with [Andre Ayew]." He will undoubtedly declare his retirement at some point, but for the time being, he is still required.

Former Black Stars custodian George Owu has pleaded with Ghanaians not to be judgmental of Andre Ayew’s selection in Ghana teams, despite his uneven club activities in recent months.

The Ghana captain is now without a club after leaving Premier League team Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.

He was, however, included in Chris Hughton’s latest squad for Ghana’s matches against the Central African Republic in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, as well as an international friendly against Liberia, which Ghana won 3-1.

Despite many Ghanaians’ reservations over the inclusion of the 33-year-old, George Owu agrees with Hughton’s reasoning, emphasising experience as a major aspect in the player’s invitation.

The club will require Ayew more at this level, according to the former Hasaacas shot-stopper, because the existing players are not properly grounded.

“This is a young team with only a few seasoned players. The only experienced players are Andre Ayew and Jordan. Kudus, for example, are suddenly finding their feet,” George Owu told Onua Sports.

“Andre Ayew has made significant contributions to Ghana football, winning the U-20 World Cup in 2009, but he appears unhappy whenever he plays for Ghana due to the way fans treat him.”

“We must be patient with [Andre Ayew].” He will undoubtedly declare his retirement at some point, but for the time being, he is still required.

“There are players who lack motivation to play because they are afraid of being criticised, and it will take people like Ayew to boost their morale.”

“The insults and criticisms are unnecessary, and they will not aid the new player’s adjustment,” he continued.

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