Juventus are insinuating that they’ll add a third star after their next Scudetto success. Antonio Labbate urges them to re-count and reconsider
Let us fast forward to the start of next season. And, in the interests of this blog, we’ll say that Juventus are the Italian champions. A tricolore shield will adorn their shirts, but, if we take into account the words of new President Jean-Claude Blanc this week, so too would a third star.
It would be a controversial move by the Turin giants, but one legally within their rights. The addition of a five-pointed gold star to signify 10 Italian championships was an idea first conceived by former Juve chief Umberto Agnelli after the club’s 1958 title. It thus became a custom, one later inherited by Inter and Milan, but it was never written into the directives of the game.
As a consequence, Juventus will be free to increase their constellation from two to three when they next win the title, even though the numbers simply don’t add up. The Old Lady thinks she has 29 titles to her name, the record books only read 27.
The two phantom championships are obviously the Calciopoli revoked triumphs of 2005 and 2006. The first was assigned to nobody, while the second was, rightly or wrongly, handed to Inter. That’s a fact that Juventus need to come to terms with.
No matter what you think of Calciopoli, the scandal itself or the verdicts, Juventus – in the form of their officials – were adjudged to have broken the rules of sporting conduct. Something they themselves seemed to accept given the way they handled themselves in the aftermath of the revelations. Remember, they didn’t defend the Triade, they discarded them.
In an era where the Stile Juventus is being exposed as the myth that some argue it always was, it would be wholly inappropriate to add a third stella to their chests. It would be a gesture to appease their fans, but one that would only re-open the wounds of a scandal that brought a great club to its knees.
A third star, unveiled two titles prematurely, is an understandable temptation but it would be an empty symbol, a duller celestial body with less sparkle than the two preceding it. After all, what use is a star if it doesn’t shine?
I have mixed feelings. My initial response was they shouldn't have an extra star. Cheaters are cheaters and when caught, they should be stripped of gold like in other sports. Players can say ‘we won it on the pitch’ but that's extremely hollow considering they shared that same pitch with the refs ‘influenced’.
However, there are no rules on this. If they want to add a star, why can't they? If they want to add two ‘special stars’ for the two lost titles, why shouldn't they? It's their choice. It may be shallow, but isn't that what the Triade stood for in the first place? As for the President declaring "we shall add a star", well, let's face it, in a popularity contest, he can't say the opposite.
The bottom line is that the record books will say Juve had 28 titles when they added a third star. That will speak the loudest when we are consigned to history, but does anyone really care? I am a devout Interista and I'm not sure we should get our second star when we reach 20 – maybe it should be at 21.
Amit Patel, Northwood
In relation to this statement by Blanc, what should Inter put on their shirts? Maybe three stars too, because who knows how many titles they could have won if Juventus had not cheated? I cannot believe the new President is so ignorant – I pity Juve – perhaps they are going back to Serie B?
Amedeo
It is really sad and disturbing to see such an article after all of these years of Juventus cheating. It seems like everyone has forgotten what Inter fans went through during those times. It’s not like they should or could put the stars back on their shirt. It’s time to go back to 5-6 years ago Labbate and look at how they won their so called ‘championships’. Maybe it is time to open your eyes again Labbate.
Roozbeh Beyhaghi
Why shouldn’t Juventus add a third star? We have won 29 titles. The verdicts were a joke and the evidence inconclusive. I would wear a third star with pride.
Anon
Roozbeh – what?
Paolo LV
First of all to all of you Interistas sweating that your token titles will be handed back to Juve should be worried. The verdicts as mentioned were highly inconclusive. The evidence was not as clear cut as you think which is the reason the case is now in an appeals court.
We deserve the third star if we win the League again and I will be happy to wear it. After 30 titles anyone would be proud. From a proud Juventino to all the vindictive Interistas – talk to me when you win 30 and catch up.
Cameron, DC
For some time I have avoided discussing the scandal for one simple reason. People insist on discussing the complicated issue without actually informing themselves on what happened before, during and after the verdicts. This article is an example of what should be avoided.
The Triade was not discarded. Moggi and Giraudo resigned and sought legal council independently while Juventus as a team created an appeal that was pulled from Civil Court moments before going to trial at the behest of the FIGC, FIFA, and UEFA officials who made very public that Italy and her clubs would be absent from all international competition for the duration of the trial. In the best interest of the nation’s football, Juve dropped the appeal.
It should be noted that since then, Moggi and company have won every civil appeal in actual civil courts which hold precedence in Italy over mere sporting tribunals [that failed to actually identify a single incident of wrongdoing or attempted “cheating” for the accused].
Juventus have won 29 titles on the pitch and are well within their rights to celebrate their 30th the next time they clinch it.
For the record, the FIGC for whatever reason has refused to acknowledge federal titles that the team won in 1909 and 1910. All things considered, Juventus could already put that star on their jersey and it would be entirely appropriate.
The real problem will be when Inter managers attempt to stitch a second star on their jersey by counting a third place finish behind Juventus and Milan as a "title" season.
Giuseppe Solinas
Hundreds of hours of phone-taps and not once was Moggi talking about fixing a result or giving Juve an advantage of any kind. That alone is evidence enough that there never was any cheating. It’s all a fabrication. Juventus won those two Scudetti fair and square. I will wear the third star with pride and so should every other Juventino.
Duck Manson
I get the argument for and against the third star but it all boils down to this: Juve are the most decorated side in Italian history, and yes the Calciopoli incident has dented them, but they needed the players on the pitch to have any chance of the proclaimed influence of the ref's.
Let’s face it, the only people that are going to have anything to say about what Juve do with this third star are Interistas, because they just have not cut it through the years. Juve got relegated, lost half a squad and lots of money and since their return to the top flight they have worried Inter.
As soon as Juve regain the title it will be another decade and a half before Inter get anywhere near it again. It all sounds like sour grapes to me.
Ricardo Sagnella
The verdicts which arose from the scandal arise plenty of suspicion. Fans who call Juventus cheaters clearly do not understand what Juventus were found guilty of and clearly did not read the verdicts.
Subsequent decisions by bodies outside of the sporting courts cast more than enough doubt on the Calciopoli findings, and any fan regardless of their pride and hate for Juve, should realize these indisputable facts before they cast judgement.
With that mind, Juventus should be allowed a third star. It amazes me that fans and media have the nerve to comment on what's fair and just after years of ignorance and disinformation have done nothing but smear Juventus' name.
Fair has nothing to do with it. It's about setting the record straight with a clear and obvious gesture which reaffirms the belief that millions of Juventini already hold.
Roberto, Ottawa, Canada
It’s just a star. Get over it.
Mark
Why are we having this discussion when we all know that they will not win the title anytime soon? They are simply in no position to oust Inter, who by far are the best team in Serie A. Add to that, Milan will always be a threat – if they can begin to spend a little money for once. Blanc can do and say whatever he likes, but it’s all hypothetical at this time.
Rosario, Zurich
Has it occurred to anyone that in the World Cup Final, there were eight Juventus players on the field, Italian and French. Add Nedved and Ibrahimovic to the team. That is a title winning side.
Massimo
If I was a Juve fan or player I would wait till officially the 30th.
Andrew Zoratto
I usually disagree with Mr Labbate, but this time I have to admit he got it straight and perfect.
Devious, Egypt
This is just sour grapes by people who hate Juventus, when we win our next Scudetto it will be our 30th and that means a third star. At least Juve don't say they have won titles when they have come third and use cheating by others as an excuse for more than a decade of mediocrity. There is more than enough evidence to show that the Calciopoli findings were highly suspicious and Juve were punished unfairly so a third star would not be an empty symbol.
Rodney
I agree entirely with Giuseppe Solinas. I was going to write an email mentioning all the points he had, and I was relieved when I scrolled down to read his post because its good to know at least some people are properly informed. This blog really is inaccurate.
For once I would like to see a blog regarding Calciopoli with actual facts in it. I encourage someone at Football Italia to look into what actually happened a little more carefully and then write a blog about it.
It really is tiring reading all this misinformation about Calciopoli that readers of this website then assume to be fact. You are a very credible website, and it really is a shame when I come on and see something so inaccurate.
Anthony Schirripa
Juventus have every right to add a third star. In the three and a half years since the Calciopoli scandal broke, no evidence of Moggi, Giraudo, or anyone at Juventus being involved in match fixing has emerged.
In fact the departure of Moggi and Giraudo from Juventus had nothing to do with the allegations, and was in fact the result of an internal power struggle which had been brewing long before the tampered transcripts hit the press. This power struggle is also the reason the club chose not to defend them.
Every accusation made during Calciopoli has been dismantled, and it's now obvious the only team claiming to have won a Scudetto they didn't win is Inter.
Liam
I do not think that Juventus should have a third star on their shirts as it does not warrant it. As you say, they have 27 Scudetto wins, and not 29, so what is the new President trying to prove? As a Juventus fan, I find this all childish.
Carlo Bene
Why shouldn't they add it? They have 30 titles to their name. Calciopoli was a joke and inconclusive. When will people come to terms with that?
Lev
Just let Antonio Labbate know that Juve won the two titles stolen from the club on the field. If he is a good journalist, let him write about the actual trial in Naples or, otherwise, keep his head in the sand when it comes to Juventus’ affairs. Learn to be impartial or change job because this one way traffic of news is highly insulting to a multitude of people, Juve fans and not.
A Baglioni
As I'm an Interista I'm not surprised by the words from Juve's President or their fans on this blog - Juve will do anything to win and thankfully they finally got caught (Calciopoli).
Daniel, Auckland , NZ
