Juventus begins process to exit European Super League

The Bianconeri were one of 12 founding members of the proposed European Super League, which received extreme backlash from fans, players and governing bodies alike when plans were unveiled in April 2021.

Amid the widespread condemnation and plethora of protests outside stadiums, nine of the 12 clubs pulled out of the project, leaving Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona as the only three teams still committed to the plans.

However, Juventus signalled their intention to quit last month, and the Old Lady have now announced that they have taken the first steps to formally pulling out of the European Super League, but Real Madrid and Barcelona will have the final say.

"Reference is made to our previous communication dated 6 June 2023, pursuant to which Juventus announced the commencement of a period of discussions with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, clubs not having hitherto announced their intention to exit the Super League project, in respect of Juventus' proposed decision to exit from said project," a statement read.

"Following such discussions, and given the existing discrepancies on the interpretation of the relevant contractual terms applicable to the Super League Project, Juventus confirms that it has initiated the procedure to exit therefrom.

"But it also acknowledges that, under the applicable contractual terms, its exit will be completed and effective only if previously authorised by Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and the remaining clubs involved in the Super League Project."

Juventus were threatened with expulsion from Serie A when the ESL plans were made public two years ago, and the EU Court of Justice ruled in December that FIFA and UEFA can lawfully block clubs from joining breakaway leagues.

Nevertheless, a new 10-point manifesto for the ESL was released in February of this year, which proposed an "open" Super League where clubs would qualify based on their domestic placements.

Furthermore, the revised Super League would hold between 60-80 clubs rather than the 12 original members, but the plans were met with similar levels of criticism.

Juventus endured a troubled campaign on and off the field in the 2022-23 season, firstly being deducted 15 points for capital gains violations in January before the decision was reversed three months later.

However, Massimiliano Allegri's side were slapped with another 10-point docking in late May and ultimately finished seventh in the Serie A table, thereby qualifying for the Europa Conference League playoff round.