Source:REUTERS/MATTEO CIAMBELLI
[Saba Sports News] Juventus recently announced that the preliminary hearing judge of the Rome Court has accepted the plea bargain requests (pursuant to Article 444 and subsequent articles of the Italian Code of Criminal Procedure) submitted by all relevant parties (defendants and prosecutors) and has issued a dismissal order for one of the defendants. According to the plea agreement, Juventus will be fined €157,000. This plea bargain does not constitute any form of admission or assumption of responsibility. Juventus reiterates the correctness of its conduct and the adequacy of its defense arguments but decided to accept this procedure for the best interests of the club, its shareholders, and all stakeholders (both within and outside the sports world), thereby clarifying its legal position regarding proceedings that began in November 2021 and involve events from some time ago. Other accepted plea bargains include: prison sentences of up to 1 year and 8 months for some individuals – all sentences suspended – while only fines were imposed on other individuals. This decision by the preliminary hearing judge of the Rome Court will become final after the 15-day statutory period expires from the date of notification to the Office of the Prosecutor General. Juventus also announced that, within this context, it has reached settlement agreements as of today with some civil parties involved in the criminal proceedings, including the Italian Securities and Exchange Commission (Consob), consumer associations, and approximately one-third of the other civil parties.