Sports
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.”
Harry Maguire, a Manchester United defender, has accepted Hon. Isaac Adongo’s apologies for dragging him through the dirt.
The Ghanaian politician previously rated the former Leicester City captain as the worst player recruited by the Red Devils.
Adongo was discussing the budget when he likened Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s economic management to Maguire’s on-field performances.
Mr Adongo, however, apologised to Maguire in Parliament on Tuesday, saying the Manchester United defender now performed better for his club than Dr Bawumia, whom he said had repeatedly supervised the country’s economic incompetence and had subsequently gone to the (IMF) for a bailout.
“I was very quick to compare my big brother Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to Harry Maguire. Mr. Speaker, I now apologize to Harry Maguire…Today Maguire has turned the corner; he is a transformational footballer. Maguire is now scoring goals for Manchester United.”
“Mr Speaker, Harry Maguire is now a key player for Manchester United. As for our Maguire, he is now roaming at the IMF with a cup in hand,” he stated.
Following the apology, Maguire stated on social media, “MP Issac Adongo apology accepted.” “Hope to see you at Old Trafford soon.”
Meanwhile, Everton will play Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday at Goodison Park.
Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has indicated that he is considering stepping down after five years in charge.
Scaloni made the stunning statement following Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win against Brazil on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro.
Before winning the World Cup in Qatar last year, the 45-year-old guided Argentina to the Copa America in 2021.
“Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well,” said Scaloni.
“I need to stop the ball and start thinking, I have a lot of things to think about during this time.
“It’s not goodbye or anything, but I need to think because the bar is very high and it’s complicated to keep going and it’s complicated to keep winning.
“These guys are making it difficult, so I need to think about it for a while. I will talk to the FA president and the players afterwards.”
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After a brief stint in command of Argentina’s under-20 team, Scaloni took over as manager in August 2018.
Argentina’s 2021 Copa America victory was their first major championship in 28 years, and it qualified them for the Finalissima against European champions Italy in June 2022, which they won 3-0 at Wembley.
Later that year, they won their third World Cup in Qatar, and first since 1986.
“We are sure and hope that Scaloni will continue,” said Argentina and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero.
“Let’s see now he will have time to think, he didn’t say anything in the dressing room about it. We will try to convince him.”
Argentina’s victory against Brazil on Tuesday was their first-ever away win over their rivals in World Cup qualification, and it took them two points clear at the top of the table.
The game at Rio’s Maracana stadium was delayed for 30 minutes due to a scuffle during the national anthems.
Chris Hughton’s Black Stars suffered their first competitive loss as head coach, falling 1-0 to Comoros in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Myziane Maolida’s first-half goal was enough to give the hosts their second straight victory over the Black Stars.
Ghana is now in fourth position, three points behind early group leaders Comoros, who have won both of their initial qualification games.
Following a tense, late win against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last Friday, there was some hope that the Black Stars may capitalise on Mali’s slip-up against the Central African Republic to grab the group lead.
Ghana could have grabbed an early lead in Tuesday’s encounter when Inaki Williams set up Antoine Semenyo for a goal, but the Bournemouth striker hit the crossbar.
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