Juventus defender Daniele Rugani could face a trial for an alleged drink driving incident that took place last summer. The incident dates back to July 2023 when the 28-year-old footballer, returning from an evening out, was stopped at a police checkpoint
La Stampa newspaper (via calcioefinanzia) report that on July 21 of last year, Rugani tested positive for alcohol while driving his sports car back to Turin. The first measurement recorded was 1.56 grams of alcohol per liter of blood, dropping to 1.54 on the second reading (performed at least five minutes later, as required by the Highway Code). In both cases, well above the legal limit.
At that point, explains the newspaper, he was reported for drunk driving, an offence that carries a fine of up to €9,000, imprisonment for up to one year, and a license suspension for up to two years. Rugani could have settled with the justice system by paying the €5,000 fine imposed by the judge with the penal decree of conviction, avoiding imprisonment.
After two years, the offence would have been extinguished, and his criminal record would have been cleared. Instead, he chose to contest it, and yesterday morning he was supposed to appear before Judge Roberto Ruscello for an immediate judgment. The goal was to request admission to a probationary period, a measure that suspends the trial and allows the offence to be extinguished through community service in non-profit associations and organizations as compensation for the harm caused to society by his conduct.
However, he did not appear, and his lawyer, criminal lawyer Raffaele Tecce from Avellino, delegated the request to a substitute. The judge, however, rejected it outright because it was proposed beyond the deadline. Rugani will therefore have to face trial, complete with witnesses, technical consultations, and examination. The trial will begin on May 23, where the defence intends to challenge the validity of the sanction on the merits, also with the help of expert opinions.
