Juventus ordered to pay Ronaldo €9.7m unpaid salaries
Written by maxfmeditor3 on April 18, 2024
Juventus has been mandated by the Italian courts to pay Portuguese football maestro Cristiano Ronaldo a staggering sum of 9.7 million euros ($10.4 million) in unpaid wages for the 2020-21 season, marking a significant legal development announced on Wednesday.
The Court of Arbitration, where Ronaldo appealed, has decisively ruled in favor of the player, ordering Juventus Turin to disburse the precise amount of 9,774,166.66 euros. This verdict, coupled with accrued interest and procedural expenses, underscores the gravity of the financial irregularity.
The crux of the matter lies in the disparity between Ronaldo’s actual earnings and the remuneration contractually owed to him after requisite deductions, including taxes and other withholdings, have been factored in.
Notably, Ronaldo’s tenure in Italy with Juventus spans three seasons (2018-21), a period followed by stints at Manchester United (2021-22) and subsequently the Saudi club Al Nassr. The original claim made by Ronaldo amounted to a hefty 19.5 million euros, a figure that underwent a substantial 50 percent reduction following scrutiny by the arbitration panel.
When contacted by AFP for commentary on this significant legal ruling, Juventus opted to withhold immediate response, suggesting that an official statement addressing the matter would be issued shortly.
The legal battle and subsequent ruling come amidst a backdrop of financial scrutiny and high-profile rankings. According to Forbes, the globally renowned business magazine, Ronaldo emerged as the highest-earning athlete in 2023, boasting a staggering income of $136 million, with a substantial portion attributed to his wages.
Juventus, as a publicly listed entity, has had its own financial struggles, evident in the disclosure of losses totaling 123.7 million euros for the 2022-23 fiscal year, as announced in October. Despite occupying a prestigious position as one of Serie A’s leading clubs, Juventus has yet to make provisions in its financial accounts to cover the outstanding wage liabilities, a matter that warrants close monitoring.
The legal mandate for Juventus to compensate Cristiano Ronaldo for unpaid wages underscores the complexities of modern football finance, punctuated by high-stakes legal battles and financial scrutiny.
