Juventus have shown their class by telling the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) they have no interest in claiming the Serie A title despite being top of the division.
The Bianconeri’s standpoint comes with Juve a point clear over second-placed Lazio with 12 games remaining.
But should the season fail to restart – with Italian bosses still hoping it will – even the leaders in a league awash with years of corruption don’t want to be associated with a tainted trophy award.
The move has been welcomed by FIGC boss Gabriele Gravina.
“Only the FIGC can [award the title],” Gravina told La Repubblica, via Diario AS.
“But Juventus’ position is appreciated. For me, too, the Scudetto is won on the field.”
These comments are in stark contrast to that of Scottish league leaders Celtic, with Neil Lennon and Scott Brown both claiming the trophy as the global pandemic threatened a shutdown.
There’s also a suggestion that the Peter named in a string of leaked WhatsApp messages amid the Dundee altered Yes vote controversy is Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell.
More than just play this by ear, there have been suggestions that Celtic have actively sought to capitalise on the league shutdown in order to be awarded a trophy they have not earned.
In contrast, eight-in-a-row winners Juventus appear to have distanced themselves from the notion they will collect a 9th league trophy on the bounce without having properly won it.
Celtic fans will point to their 13-point lead – which could be cut to just 4 by Rangers – but the tight situation at the top of the Scudetto is similar to that at the bottom of the Championship.
Partick Thistle have just been relegated despite being two points behind Queen of the South with a game in hand, in order to force SPFL proposals through. Stranraer have also been sent to League Two.
Hearts will also be relegated if the final standings are ratified by UEFA calling the season.
Rangers have called for an independent investigation and the immediate suspension of the chief executive Neil Doncaster and legal advisor Rod McKenzie [Rangers] amid the row.
Celtic could not be handed their trophy under the proposals unless the financial futures of these sides were cruelly sacrificed in order to do so.
The Ibrox club claim they have evidence of corruption from within the SPFL supplied to them by a whistle-blower and are considering legal advice.
