Juventus encountered a disastrous setback on Monday, dropping to seventh place following a 10-point penalty and a 4-1 defeat against Empoli.
Juve had been previously docked 15 points for inflating transfer fees to augment profits in January. This penalty was temporarily revoked when they lodged an appeal. However, on Monday, the Federal Court of Appeal delivered its verdict, imposing a 10-point penalty on Juve.
This judgment seemingly unsettled Juve’s squad on the pitch as they conceded three goals after the first half. Despite Federico Chiesa scoring a late goal in the 85th minute, Roberto Piccoli clinched a comfortable victory for Empoli in stoppage time.
With the point deduction and the loss, Juve slid from second to seventh place, an outcome that also assured Lazio of a Champions League spot.
In other matches, Roma extended their winless streak, battling back twice to secure a 2-2 draw against Salernitana.
Meanwhile, two Thailand players have been banned for six months for their part in mass brawls during the men’s football final at the Southeast Asian Games.
Indonesia beat Thailand 5-2 after extra time in Cambodia last week. Fighting broke out between the teams’ benches after Thailand scored a stoppage-time equaliser and again when Indonesia went 3-2 up in extra time in Phnom Penh. A goalkeeping coach and two team officials have been banned for a year.
The Football Association of Thailand said goalkeeper Soponwit Rakyart and substitute Teerapak Pruengna were given shorter bans because they are “young” and were “under match pressure and have apologised”.
Rakyart was one of four players sent off after he ran half the length of the pitch to deliver a diving punch to an opponent.
A Thai FA statement read: “The fact-finding team agreed unanimously that as adults, the goalkeeping coach and team officials should be mature enough to control the situation and set a good example for the players, who are aged under 22. They should not lead or take part in the incident.”
After the match the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it would conduct an investigation.
