Juve U-turn stuns Deschamps Friday 1 September, 2006
Juventus boss Didier Deschamps is furious at the club’s decision to abandon their Calciopoli appeal to the civil courts. “I don’t understand,” he said.
The club’s board of directors ratified the decision on Thursday and Juve will now turn to CONI’s court of arbitration in a final attempt to have their 17-point deduction reduced or cancelled.
“I must admit that I don’t understand why the board of directors took this decision, this is the only thing I can say at the moment,” the tactician stated after the Trofeo TIM tournament last night.
“I will now wait to see what the motivations were, but the bottom line is that the club had opted to take civil action and now changed their mind.
“The only thing we can do now is work hard in view of our debut on September 9,” added the Bianconeri boss.
Captain Alex Del Piero – voted as the best player of the Trofeo TIM – was also disappointed, but could only accept the decision.
“I am sorry too and I understand what Deschamps is feeling now, but personally my choice to stay here had nothing to do with the Division we would play in,” said Del Piero.
“We must now roll up our sleeves and focus on our training, as I really don’t know if our point-deduction will be reduced.”
Juve chief Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has revealed that the U-turn was taken after great consideration given that the board meeting lasted for over four hours.
“It was a pondered resolution, which was voted unanimously,” he stated. “This decision is good for Juventus, but not only for Juventus.”
Rumours have suggested that the Bianconeri club opted to withdraw their civil action after reaching an agreement over their points penalty.
“I am offended by this rumour, we have not promised any discount to Juve as we are not in the position to do so,” said FIGC commissioner Guido Rossi.
“The sporting judges will decide and I do not have the power to make these concessions.”
However, today’s Tuttosport newspaper – based in Turin – claims that Juve will start the new campaign with just a five-point penalty.