In 2023, a series of financial scandals rocked Juventus, Italy's most glamorous football club. But is the trouble at Juventus symptomatic of a deeper rot in world football? This week, we raid the Guardian long read archives to bring you a classic piece from years past, with a new introduction from the author.
The Crisis at Juventus
Juventus, the Turin-based club with a storied history, has been engulfed in financial turmoil. The club's board resigned en masse in late 2022 amid investigations into false accounting and irregular salary payments. Prosecutors allege that Juventus artificially inflated player transfer values and underreported wages, creating a complex web of financial misconduct.
These scandals are not isolated. They reflect a broader crisis in football finance, where clubs engage in risky accounting practices to remain competitive. Juventus, once the pinnacle of Italian football, now faces point deductions, transfer bans, and a tarnished reputation.
Deeper Rot in World Football
Tobias Jones argues that Juventus's troubles are a symptom of systemic issues in the sport. The pressure to win, combined with the vast sums of money in football, leads to a culture of financial manipulation. From Cristiano Ronaldo's massive salary to Antonio Conte's managerial demands, the club's spending spree masked underlying instability.
Jones questions whether football's governing bodies can address these problems. The rise of state-owned clubs and the concentration of wealth among a few elite teams exacerbate the issue. Juventus's crisis may be a warning sign for the entire sport.
Listen to the Podcast
This article is available as an audio long read, narrated by Daniel Alexander. The piece was originally published in 2023 and is part of a series revisiting classic Guardian long reads. Support the Guardian today at theguardian.com/longreadpod.
Illustration by Guardian Design.
