What could the Giraudo (Former Juventus CEO) case mean for the Italian justice system and sport?

The Calciopoli1 match fixing scandal, which shook Italian football in 2006, and the subsequent sporting proceedings against Antonio Giraudo, the former CEO of Juventus, represent one of the most controversial and debated chapters in the history of Italian sports. While this may be seen as a distant chapter, particularly following Juventus' formal withdrawal of its final appeal in October 2023, the enduring ramifications of the controversies surrounding the Italian sports justice system have persisted. This has culminated in a protracted legal saga — that of Mr. Giraudo — which continues to unfold to this day in separate proceedings before two distinct courts: the European Court of Human Rights (“ECtHR”) and the Regional Administrative Court of Rome (“TAR”). 2

In July 2023,3 this lengthy legal challenge reached a crucial turning point, not only for Mr. Giraudo personal case but also for the potential far-reaching impact the ruling could have on entire Italian sports justice system. At the heart of this matter is Mr. Giraudo's battle to affirm his rights as a European citizen, and challenge the decisions of Italian sports federations, with potentially significant consequences for the Italian sports justice system and European principles of justice.4

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