Key Highlights
- Italian prosecutors intercepted Juventus telephone calls in 2004 while investigating suspected doping.
- Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio and Reggina were implicated in attempts to influence referees.
- Despite a nine-point penalty, Juventus won promotion back to Serie A at the first attempt.
How the Juventus Referee Investigation Escalated
When Italian public prosecutors tapped telephone calls involving Juventus in 2004, they were initially searching for evidence of doping. Instead, investigators believed they had uncovered a much broader corruption operation involving the influence of referee officials.
Prosecutors thought Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi had pressured referee officials to favour certain clubs, including Juventus. Moggi denied the claims. Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio and Reggina were all implicated in attempts to influence referees.
Juventus Relegated as Star Players Departed
All five clubs received points deductions, but Juventus was the only one ultimately relegated to the second tier of Italian football. The punishment triggered a major split within Juventusā superstar squad, with several prominent players leaving the club.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira joined Inter Milan for a combined Ā£23m. Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson moved to Real Madrid for Ā£13.7m, while Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta joined Barcelona for Ā£13m. Adrian Mutu also left Juventus for Fiorentina in a deal worth Ā£5.5m.
However, several key players chose to remain in Turin and compete with Juventus in Serie B. Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro del Piero, Giorgio Chiellini, Pavel Nedved and David Trezeguet stayed with the club despite its relegation and the departure of other major names.
Juventus Earns Immediate Promotion
Juventus began the season with a nine-point penalty and were held to a draw by minnows Rimini on the opening day. Even with that difficult start, Juventus recovered quickly and secured promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt.
The club continues to claim the 2004ā05 and 2005ā06 league titles that were stripped from it. On that basis, Juventus counts 38 championships, while the official total stands at 36.
Why This Matters
The Juventus case reshaped the clubās squad, league position and official title record at the same time. Juventus lost several high-profile players, began life in Serie B with a points penalty and had two championships removed, yet retained enough experienced players to return to the top division immediately. The competing figures of 38 titles claimed by Juventus and 36 officially recognized remain central to the clubās account of its history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Juventus telephone calls intercepted?
Italian public prosecutors were initially investigating suspected doping when they tapped telephone calls involving Juventus in 2004.
Which clubs were implicated in influencing referees?
Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio and Reggina were all implicated. Each club received a points deduction, but only Juventus was ultimately relegated to the second tier.
How did Juventus return to Serie A?
Juventus won promotion at the first attempt despite starting the season with a nine-point penalty and drawing its opening match against Rimini.
