Napoli and their president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, may face significant repercussions following a recently withdrawn appeal to the Milan Court regarding the election of Ezio Simonelli as the new president of Serie A. This situation raises questions about the implications of violating the compromise clause, a critical component in sports governance.
Calcio e Finanza report how the compromise clause is a provision that mandates affiliated clubs and their representatives to adhere to decisions made by governing bodies, such as the FIGC (Italian Football Federation). This clause ensures that all parties involved in the sport accept the authority of these organizations in resolving disputes. In Napoli’s case, the club’s attempt to challenge Simonelli’s election could be seen as a breach of this clause.
According to the FIGC’s statutes, all members, including players, clubs, and officials, are required to respect the federation’s regulations and decisions. If they fail to do so, they risk facing disciplinary actions. Specifically, Article 34 of the Code of Sports Justice outlines that any party attempting to evade or violate this obligation may incur penalties, including a minimum three-point deduction for clubs.
Napoli’s situation is precarious; if it is determined that the club violated the compromise clause through its legal actions, it could face a three-point penalty in the league standings. Additionally, fines ranging from €20,000 to €50,000 may be imposed on Serie A clubs for such infractions.
The consequences extend beyond financial penalties. Individuals involved in these violations could face suspensions or bans from participating in football activities for varying lengths of time. For players and coaches, this could mean being sidelined for at least six months, while other individuals might face even longer suspensions.
