September 24, 2022
The brief from today:
UEFA’s odd approach to sanctions
UEFA has issued a number of sanctions against some teams participating in the Champions League and Europa Conference League. The strange thing about the judgements, however, is that they don’t seem commensurate with the infractions that prompted them. Juventus have received a €15,000 fine, as well as a partial stadium closure which has been suspended for a year. The reason for this punishment stems from racist gestures made by some Juventus fans during a visit to PSG for their first round Champions League match. Similarly, a portion of Eintracht Frankfurt fans were also flagged for racist behavior during an away Champions League match versus Marseille. In addition to that, the Frankfurt fans also got into multiple skirmishes with their French counterparts resulting in a €45,000 fine, plus a suspended stadium closure ruling. Marseille, meanwhile, were also on the receiving end of a stadium ban for their fans’ part in the crowd unrest against Frankfurt. The difference with Marseille, however, is that they already had a suspended stadium ban issued earlier this year, so this further unrest results in their next home Champions League match being played behind closed doors. Additionally, their following home game will also have a portion of the stadium closed off as punishment for the more recent incident against Frankfurt. In the Europa Conference League, Nice have been issued a full stadium closure following their crowd disturbance in two matches this campaign. The bizarre thing in all these rulings is the heavy hand shown towards crowd trouble, but the relatively tame response to racist behavior. A paltry €15,000 fine per racist infraction, compared to stadium closure—full or partial—for fan unrest clearly shows UEFA’s priorities. While crowd trouble should obviously be dealt with, much more seriousness needs to be shown towards racism. These racist incidents are unlikely to cease if clubs are only given a slap on the wrist fine that is a fraction of the salary paid per week to first team players. That minor financial punishment, coupled with no stadium closure, is bound to reduce any incentive from the clubs to take proactive action on a matter that should truly be stamped out of the game by now.
UEFA’s disciplinary decisions leave a lot to be desired
Juventus make history for the wrong reasons
Juventus have started the season in rather underwhelming form, and currently sit in eighth place in the Serie A standings. The style of play under coach, Massimiliano Allegri, has failed to excite, and the substandard results have increased the general malaise around the club. With all of that as the backdrop, they have now disclosed their financial reports for the past year, and the numbers don’t make for positive viewing. The losses in the last financial period totaled €254.3 million, a new record for the Turin based side, with even the COVID impacted years not reaching such levels. Many have speculated that these record breaking figures are why Allegri is likely to retain his position, as sacking the manager would result in a hefty €36 million severance payment. The club have been in a downward spiral on the pitch over the past two seasons, with players who have recently departed—De Ligt and Zakaria—even speaking on the lack of ambition at the team. These latest financial figures will do little to assist with all the negative press swirling around the club, and with the current form not showing signs of changing anytime soon, Juve have quite an uphill task confronting them.
Juventus chairman, Andrea Agnelli, has issues to consider, both on the field and off of it