A major legal battle connected to the Calciopoli scandal is quietly unfolding — with former Juventus director Antonio Giraudo still seeking justice nearly twenty years later. The case, which could also affect former club president Andrea Agnelli, is advancing toward the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, renowned for his landmark Bosman victory, spoke in depth to TuttoJuve about the ongoing proceedings and their potentially seismic consequences for Italian football.
Dupont, who is part of Giraudo’s current legal team, explained the status of the appeal:
“According to Amedeo Rosbosch, the Italian lawyer representing Antonio Giraudo, the Italian judge should decide in the first half of 2026 whether or not to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.”
Asked if he was aware of any political pressures to delay the hearing, Dupont replied bluntly:
“Honestly, no.”
The Basis of Giraudo’s Appeal
Dupont clarified why Giraudo’s legal action came years after the original events.
“In reality, he never stopped initiating and managing legal actions. However, Italian law — unlike EU law — has made it impossible to succeed until now. In Italy, national judges are prevented from examining, annulling or even suspending any disciplinary decision imposed by a sports federation. This represents a clear violation of the right to full and effective judicial protection guaranteed to all EU citizens under Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.”
He confirmed that the EU legal argument rests upon that same article, saying simply:
“I can quote Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.”
Inter’s Role and the Integrity of Calciopoli
When questioned on whether Giraudo’s lawyers had addressed the findings from former FIGC prosecutor Stefano Palazzi’s 2011 report — which revealed sporting violations by Inter later voided due to prescription — Dupont admitted:
“At a certain point, yes. To illustrate the artificial nature of the entire proceeding.”
Confidence in a Favourable EU Decision
Asked about his expectations for the eventual ruling and the chances of success, Dupont spoke with complete conviction:
“If the CJEU is seized by the Italian judge, as is his duty, I am one hundred percent certain that the Court will declare the Italian law illegitimate.”
A favourable ruling could open the door to compensation for Antonio Giraudo, who was unable to properly defend himself during the 2006 proceedings. Dupont declined to discuss financial aspects, saying:
“I’m sorry, but I don’t handle that part of the case.”
Possible Implications for Juventus and Agnelli
Whether Juventus could seek a revision of the original Calciopoli verdict remains unclear. Dupont noted:
“It’s very difficult to say. Everything will depend on the precise content of the decision.”
He confirmed that former Juventus president Andrea Agnelli also has an open case at the EU Court concerning the issue of capital gains, and that the two matters are legally linked.
“It’s exactly the same question: does the Italian law that prevents judges from overturning disciplinary decisions taken by the FIGC violate Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU? In fact, the TAR used the same formulation proposed by Antonio Giraudo to refer Andrea Agnelli’s case to the CJEU.”
A Potentially Global Impact
Dupont, who famously represented Jean-Marc Bosman in the case that revolutionised football, believes the current legal challenge could have comparable consequences.
“On 1 August 2025, in the RFC Seraing versus FIFA decision — a case in which I represent Seraing — the CJEU already ruled that all judges in member states must have the power to fully review every arbitral award decided by the CAS, declaring that such awards do not have the force of res judicata within the EU. That is the key ruling. And that is why I am certain that the same reasoning will apply here.”
If confirmed, Dupont’s prediction could trigger a new legal era — one where Italian sporting authorities lose their longstanding immunity from ordinary justice, and where the legacy of Calciopoli may finally be re-examined under the full light of European law.
