Juventus have announced their decision to appeal the recent arbitration ruling regarding former player Cristiano Ronaldo. This development was revealed in the club’s annual financial report, which was approved by the Board of Directors.
The financial statement, which showed a loss of €199.2 million and a decrease in financial debt, also addressed the ongoing legal dispute with the Portuguese superstar, now playing for Al-Nassr.
The arbitration panel had partially accepted Ronaldo’s claim concerning the salary maneuver during his time at Juventus, resulting in the club being ordered to pay him approximately €9.8 million. This amount was paid during the previous financial year (2023/24).
However, Juventus has now decided to challenge this decision. The club has filed an appeal against the arbitration award with the Labor Section of the Turin Court, as stated in their financial report.
The club’s statement detailed that the arbitration panel had, by majority decision, partially accepted Ronaldo’s subordinate claim. The panel found Juventus liable for pre-contractual responsibility due to the failure of negotiations and ordered the club to pay about half of Ronaldo’s original request of 19.6 million euros, plus interest and monetary revaluation.
This legal battle stems from the complex financial arrangements made during Ronaldo’s tenure at Juventus, particularly concerning salary deferrals and payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The appeal, filed on September 26, 2024, marks the latest chapter in this ongoing saga between one of football’s biggest stars and one of Italy’s most prestigious clubs. The outcome of this appeal could have significant financial and reputational implications for Juventus, as they continue to navigate through a period of financial restructuring and on-field rebuilding.
