Juventus could be 'excluded' from the Champions League

Juventus could be excluded from the Champions League next season, despite the fact they could qualify through two routes at the end of the season.

It has been as topsy turvy a campaign as possibly for Juventus, and there's still a chance for some major highs and lows before they break for the summer.

Back in November, the Serie A side were knocked out at the group stages of the Champions League, losing all but one of their group games, when they beat Maccabi Haifa.

They also only won three of their opening nine games in the league, as some questions were being asked about Max Allegri's management of the team.

The entire board also quit the club, as they were being investigated for false accounting, a charge that ended up costing them 15 points in the league, and a place in the top four, after turning their on pitch fortunes around.

However, the decision was recently reversed, leaving them third in the table, behind Napoli and Lazio, and set for another Champions League campaign, next season.

Even if they don't finish in the qualifying positions, the Old Lady could still make it through to Europe's top competition by winning this season's Europa League, where they will face Sevilla in the semis, after the Spanish side knocked out Manchester United.

But, even if they finish in the top four and win the Europa, the Turin giants may be excluded from the Champions League, and all UEFA competitions.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, UEFA are doing their own investigation into Juve's finances and are looking at evidence from the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office.

Juve players after confirming their place in the Europa League semis. Image: Alamy

UEFA are ready to jump in with their own punishment, if they believe one should be forthcoming, if no decision has been made in Italy by the end of June.

That's because the European governing body have to make a decision on which teams are going to be in their three competitions for next season.

Italian teams will be competing in play-offs for the Europa Conference League in August, so there will definitely have to be a decision before then.

Allegri's side are involved in a hell of a battle for next season's European places, especially after losing their most recent three league games.

They are third with 59 points, two behind Lazio in second, and three clear of AC Milan and Roma behind them, with Inter Milan and Atalanta still within touching distance.

SPORTbible reached out to UEFA for comment on the story but have yet to hear back, we will keep you updated on any comment from them.