Napoli win appeal against 3-0 Juventus forfeit defeat and one-point penalty

Napoli have successfully appealed against the 3-0 forfeit defeat to Juventus and subsequent one-point penalty, with the game to be rescheduled in 2021.

Gennaro Gattuso’s men did not turn up for their game in Turin in October and were also docked a point by Serie A for failing to fulfil their fixture obligations.

Napoli argued they were banned from travelling by local health authorities as Piotr Zielinski, Eljif Elmas and a member of staff had tested positive for COVID-19.

Juventus also reported two positive cases among staff a day before the game but made clear they intended to play the match at the Allianz Stadium.

Andrea Pirlo named a starting XI but the game did not go ahead due to Napoli’s absence and was officially abandoned, but the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) ruled the Partenopei had ignored the coronavirus protocols in place, which states a team must fulfil an fixture if they have 13 available players, including a goalkeeper.

Napoli refused to drop the matter and took the case to the Italian National Olympic Committee’s (CONI) Collegio di Garanzia dello Sport – the highest sports authority in the country – and it ruled in the club’s favour on Tuesday.

A statement on behalf of the Collegio di Garanzia confirmed the punishment had been “cancelled without postponement”.