ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 08: General view inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League Group F stage match between SS Lazio and Club Brugge KV at Stadio Olimpico on December 08, 2020 in Rome, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Lazio Qualify for Champions League Following Juventus Point Penalty

ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 08: General view inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League Group F stage match between SS Lazio and Club Brugge KV at Stadio Olimpico on December 08, 2020 in Rome, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Lazio have officially qualified for the 2023-24 Champions League after the FIGC handed Juventus a 10-point deduction.

The Bianconeri were initially handed a 15-point penalty by the FIGC court for falsifying their capital gains back in January, but in April CONI’s Collegio di Garanzia decided to temporarily annul this punishment pending a third sporting trial.

On Monday 22nd May, Juventus’ third capital gains trial was heard at the FIGC court, and it was decided that the club would be docked 10 points for this Serie A season, a decision that saw them plummet from second in the Serie A table to seventh, taking them to 59 points.

This decision has had important ramifications for Lazio, as the team have now mathematically secured qualification to the Champions League. Maurizio Sarri’s side now sit second in the table with 68 points, seven ahead of fifth place Atalanta with two games left to play.

The handling of this case has drawn widespread condemnation from the greater footballing community in Italy, with even the famously anti-Juventus Jose Mourinho speaking out about the farcical nature of the FIGC’s actions.

Tags Biancocelesti Champions League Italy Juventus Lazio Rome Serie A