Juventus are one of only three clubs left in the European Super League but their steadfastness to this cause could cost them dearly next season as the president of the Italian Football Federation has threatened them with expulsion from Serie A should they fail to withdraw.
When this highly-controversial breakaway competition was announced in April 18, a total of 12 clubs were unveiled as the founding members. However, this project quickly spiral into collapse, with all six of the Premier League participants announcing their exit from the tournament within 48 hours of worldwide condemnation.
Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and AC Milan soon followed suit, also announcing their departures from the ESL, leaving Juventus, Barcelona, and Real Madrid as they only remaining founding members. Their conviction has not wavered, and a result, many have wondered what the repercussions for their refusal to abandon the project would be.
A ban from the UEFA Champions League has been touted, and while that remains a possibility, the first punishment could be the expulsion of the Old Lady from Serie A. This is according to FIGC (the Italian Football Federation) president Gabriele Gravina who told Naples radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli: "If Juventus insist on the Super League, they will be excluded from next Serie A."
+++ #Gravina (Pres. #Figc) a #KissKissNapoli: "Le norme sono chiare: se al momento dell'iscrizione al prossimo campionato la #Juventus farà ancora parte della #Superlega non potrà partecipare alla #SerieA. Dispiacerebbe per i tifosi ma le regole sono regole: valgono per tutti"
— Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli (@kisskissnapoli) May 10, 2021
BREAKING
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 10, 2021
Juventus will be kicked out of Serie A if they do not withdraw from the 'European Super League' pic.twitter.com/cugyvOAbhu
Gravina admitted that it would be sad for the fans to see the Bianconeri kicked out of the Italian top-flight, but the FIGC executive stressed that "rules are rules: they apply to everyone".
Juventus recently released a joint statement alongside Los Blancos and the Blaugrana, condemning UEFA and FIFA for applying "unacceptable third-party pressures, threats, and offenses" in order to prevent the European Super League from going ahead. Given the perseverance these three clubs have shown, Andrea Agnelli's side are unlikely to back down after this latest ultimatum.
