Juventus have officially confirmed that they are appealing the €9.8 million they were ordered to pay Cristiano Ronaldo over unpaid wages, Soccernet.football reports.
This decision was revealed in documents released following a recent board of directors meeting.
The paperwork detailed that the appeal was lodged on September 26, 2024, with the Work Section of the Turin Tribunal.
Ronaldo’s wage dispute dates back to his departure from Juventus in August 2021, when he re-joined Manchester United.
Despite signing a release form acknowledging no further payments were due, it later emerged that he was owed unpaid wages.
These outstanding wages stem from a deal made during the pandemic in 2020.
Ronaldo had initially agreed to waive his wages to help Juventus cope with the financial challenges of COVID-19.
However, it was later revealed that many players had agreed behind the scenes to receive their wages through alternative means, such as bonuses and sponsorship agreements.
After Ronaldo appealed the matter, a ruling in April 2024 ordered Juventus to pay €9.8 million. The club is now fighting that decision, which has cast a shadow over their financial dealings.
Meanwhile, Juventus are also facing a dilemma over Paul Pogba’s future.
The Frenchman, who is serving a suspension for a failed drug test, has been receiving only minimum wage while awaiting the outcome of his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Despite Pogba’s confidence that his appeal will succeed, Juventus seem prepared to terminate his contract.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, the club is waiting for the final verdict but views the chances of overturning the ban as slim.
If the suspension is upheld, Juventus are likely to move forward with ending their relationship with Pogba, whose contract is set to expire soon.
Pogba’s second spell at Juventus has been marred by injuries and off-field issues, in stark contrast to his first stint at the club, where he enjoyed immense success.