Juventus are experiencing a crucial day in defining the future of the club. The Shareholders’ Assembly is currently taking place at the Allianz Stadium, set to approve the 2023-24 financial statement, which closed with a significant loss but should mark the end of an economic crisis that began pre-COVID. A series of strategies for the club’s future years will be outlined starting today.
During the assembly, shareholders asked President Ferrero for explanations regarding the so-called “Ronaldo arbitration.” Ferrero responded, “We paid Cristiano Ronaldo in April, there’s no need for any risk fund. We paid 50% of the amount he requested, so there’s no need for a risk fund because the amounts have been paid. However, we don’t agree with this ruling, which established an equal division of responsibilities, so we’ve appealed it at the Turin court. We don’t share the substance of this arbitration.”
Ferrero provided this explanation after Juventus was ordered to pay nearly ten million euros to the Portuguese player. The arbitration panel had established a shared responsibility between the parties, attributing partial fault to the player as well. The club has appealed this decision after the arbitration panel partially accepted Ronaldo’s request regarding certain payments that the club, according to the player, should have guaranteed him before his transfer to Manchester United.
The first hearing for the Juventus-Ronaldo dispute has been set by the Labor Court for March. During that month, the debate between the parties will take place, with the judge deciding whether to accept or reject the appeal of the Bianconeri club.
The previous decision by the Arbitration Panel stated: “The Arbitration Panel, by majority, partially accepted the claim made in extreme subordination by the Former Registered Player, ascertaining Juventus’ pre-contractual liability resulting from the failure of negotiations and ordered the defendant to pay an amount of approximately € 9.8 million (corresponding to half of the Former Registered Player’s request of approximately € 19.6 million) plus interest and monetary revaluation; this amount was promptly paid by the Company to the Former Registered Player in the 2023/2024 financial year.”
