January 21, (THEWILL) – Juventus manager, Massimiliano Allegri, has acknowledged that the club must “do something extraordinary” to qualify for the Champions League following their 15-point deduction.
The punishment was confirmed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Friday, following an investigation into the Bianconeri’s past transfer dealings. The club has confirmed their intention to appeal the sanction.
Former president Andrea Agnelli and former chief executive Maurizio Arrivabene also received two-year bans from Italian football, while former sporting director Fabio Paratici, who is now at Tottenham, was given a 30-month ban. Juve, who were previously third in the Serie A table, have subsequently slipped to 10th and 12 points off the Champions League places with 20 matches remaining.
Allegri has urged his players to demonstrate unity in the wake of the sanction and remain focused on the task in hand, starting with the visit of Atalanta on Sunday.
“We must not start again, these judicial events concern society. There will be an appeal, as the lawyers have communicated. We must think only of the field. Given the new standings, which is a fact for the moment, we have 22 points, and we must try to win tomorrow to get to 25.”
