Juventus Promoted to Serie A
Return to Top after Last Season's Demotion for Match-fixing Scandal
May 20, 2007
Ten months on from the punishments handed out by the sports tribunal to the four clubs implicated in the match-fixing scandal, normal order is returning to Italian football as Juventus, the only club to be demoted from Serie A have won promotion back to the top division.
Inter Milan have had Serie A won for some time and with two games remaining are twenty one points ahead of their closest rivals, Roma who are assured of runners-up spot, being eleven points in front of AC Milan, Champions League finalists and another of the teams punished for their involvement in the scandal. Originally, AC Milan were handed an eleven points deduction but it was reduced to nine on appeal.
Match Fixing Scandal Punishments:
Five days after Italy won the World Cup Final in Germany, the sports tribunal announced their decision on the match-fixing scandal. Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina were demoted. Juventus were stripped of their last two League titles and all three clubs had a points deduction for the start of the next season. In Juventus’ case the thirty points loss would have ensured their stay in Serie B lasted at least two years. AC Milan avoided relegation but were deducted eleven points and all the clubs were barred from playing in European competitions but that was overturned on appeal.
The clubs appealed against the harsh punishments and the decision taken within a week reduced their punishments, Juventus were the only team to be demoted but with a reduced points loss, only seventeen rather than thirty. Lazio and Fiorentina were re-instated in Serie A but with an increased points deduction while AC Milan saw their points loss cut to eight. Further appeals during the season resulted in Lazio’s points loss being set at three, Juventus losing nine points and Fiorentina fifteen. AC Milan failed in the appeal to have theirs reduced.
Reggina, the only other club involved in the match-fixing scandal had an initial fifteen points deduction reduced to eleven.
Juventus Promoted:
Starting the season under such a shadow, Juventus’ demotion to Serie B led to a number of their top players leaving but under manager Didier Deschamps who took charge in the summer, they set about ensuring they overcame their disadvantages and returned to the Serie A at the first attempt.
Juventus drew 1-1 in their first game in Serie B at Rimini, the match was the club’s first ever game outside Serie A. Undefeated until January, Juventus have lost only two League games all season and their 5-1 win at Arezzo at the weekend ensured promotion with three games remaining. Goals from Del Piero and Chiellini gave Juventus control in the first half although Buffon in goal had to be alert but a goal for Arezzo in first half stoppage time reduced the lead. However, the same players added goals after half time and a fifth from Trezeguet ensured victory and promotion.
Juventus can now reclaim their place among the elite of Italian football and will spend the summer attempting to strengthen their squad to ensure a challenge for the top prize and European qualification.
