Juventus facing Serie A expulsion as ESL clubs defend position

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has warned that Juventus could be expelled from the Serie A should they persist with plans to form the controversial European Super League (ESL).

Juventus, one of three Serie A teams to sign up to the breakaway division, is the only remaining Italian side left, along with LaLiga’s FC Barcelona and Real Madrid after Inter Milan and AC Milan both bowed out of proposals, following in the footsteps of the Premier League ‘big six’.

However, the 36-time Serie A champions could lose its place in the Italian top-flight, if the club goes ahead with plans to form the ESL, according to FIGC President, Gabriele Gravina.

Yesterday, the three remaining clubs released a joint statement condemning the ‘intolerable’ threats and ‘third-party pressures’ the trio have faced to back down from proposals, as the other nine clubs involved in the ESL came to an agreement with UEFA to be ‘reintegrated’ into European football.

Speaking to Naples radio station Kiss Kiss, Gravina responded: “The rules are clear. If Juventus is still part of the Super League when it enters next season, it can’t participate in Serie A. I would be sorry for the fans but rules are rules and they apply to everyone.”

The FIGC has already approved a new ‘anti-Super League’ clause to prevent clubs from forming a breakaway competition or joining privately run leagues, with the Premier League also revising its rules to avoid a repeat of the debacle in the future.

In a separate interview with Radio Rai, Gravina stated: “The rules foresee the non-participation in our championship if the principles established by the federation and UEFA are not accepted.

“We are all a bit tired of this tug-of-war between UEFA and these three clubs. I hope this dispute can be resolved as soon as possible. I hope to be able to mediate between Juventus and UEFA.

“It’s not good for international football, Italian football, Juventus. We have already said that the football association respects the rules.”

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