The financial storm around Juventus has battered the reputation of one of European football's powerhouses, catching in its eye some of football’s biggest names, including Cristiano Ronaldo & Giorgio Chiellini. 
Juventus’ change in strategy was signalled by signing Ronaldo in 2018 for €116m.
Fabio Paratici had knocked on the door of Andrea Agnelli’s office; Jorge Mendes had confided in him the desire of Ronaldo to play for #Juve
Paratici told Agnelli to sign him.
Fabio Paratici had knocked on the door of Andrea Agnelli’s office; Jorge Mendes had confided in him the desire of Ronaldo to play for #Juve
Paratici told Agnelli to sign him.
Juventus’ executives locked themselves away in a villa on Lake Maggiore to crunch the numbers.
Agnelli flew to where Ronaldo was holidaying on Greece’s Navarino coast. The deal was completed, and Ronaldo, Mendes and Agnelli toasted it with Champagne.
Agnelli flew to where Ronaldo was holidaying on Greece’s Navarino coast. The deal was completed, and Ronaldo, Mendes and Agnelli toasted it with Champagne.
In March 2020, Juventus announced they had reached an agreement with its players and coach Maurizio Sarri to reduce their pay “equal to the monthly wages of March, April, May and June 2020”.
It was publicly disclosed that this would save the club around €90m.
It was publicly disclosed that this would save the club around €90m.
Juventus and the players were lauded for taking responsibility.
But investigators allege the agreement disclosed to the public was not the same as the one struck in private and that the statement the club issued misled the stock market.
But investigators allege the agreement disclosed to the public was not the same as the one struck in private and that the statement the club issued misled the stock market.
Matthijs de Ligt & Mattia De Sciglio handed over their phones, allowing the investigators to see what was written in the team’s WhatsApp group chat.
It showed that Giorgio Chiellini had sent a message outlining the agreement & told his team-mates “NOT TO SPEAK IN INTERVIEWS”.
It showed that Giorgio Chiellini had sent a message outlining the agreement & told his team-mates “NOT TO SPEAK IN INTERVIEWS”.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, one player weighed more on the balance sheet than any other.
Ronaldo’s annual cost was €86m, his salary before tax €57m.
While #Juve negotiated his sale to Manchester United in the summer of 2021, investigators learned he was owed back-pay.
Ronaldo’s annual cost was €86m, his salary before tax €57m.
While #Juve negotiated his sale to Manchester United in the summer of 2021, investigators learned he was owed back-pay.
After that window closed, Juventus’ legal counsel Cesare Gabasio was heard talking to men's team director Federico Cherubini about an agreement “signed by Fabio (Paratici)”, a “famous document that shouldn’t theoretically exist”.
Gabasio said if the document came out the auditors would “jump down our throats”.
It is alleged that this document is a recognition of the money Ronaldo was due in back-pay — €19m.
It is alleged that this document is a recognition of the money Ronaldo was due in back-pay — €19m.
Inside the Juventus crisis: The Paratici ‘black book’, Chiellini’s WhatsApps and Ronaldo’s wages.
The full story, by @JamesHorncastle… ⤵️
theathletic.com/4141896/?sourc…
The full story, by @JamesHorncastle… ⤵️
theathletic.com/4141896/?sourc…
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