Juventus could be in breach of FIFA regulations against tapping-up due to their approach to Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
To say that Lukaku’s situation this summer has been shrouded in controversy would be putting it very mildly.
At the heart of things has been the negotiations between the Belgian and Juventus behind the back of his former club Inter.
Whilst the Nerazzurri had seemingly been keen to sign him back from Chelsea this summer, even coming close to an agreement with the Blues, they abruptly pulled the plug last month after finding out about the extent of the striker’s negotiations with the Bianconeri.
Whilst this came about in a seemingly sudden manner, some reports suggest that it had been brewing behind the secret.
Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that Lukaku had actually made his decision to join Juventus in July.
Moreover, and crucially, he has stated that Juventus already made their initial approach as early as March.
Why Juventus Could Be In Breach Of FIFA Regulations Over Lukaku Tapping-Up
If it is true that Juventus had made a serious approach to Lukaku back in March, that could put them in some regulatory trouble.
FIFA rules prohibit clubs from directly contacting players who are under contract with another club in that manner.
At the time, Lukaku had been an Inter player. He was at the Nerazzurri on a paid loan deal from Chelsea.
The regulations prohibit that kind of “tapping up” contact directly between a club and a player because of the possibility that it could turn a player’s head and influence their performances over the course of the season.
Inter could feel annoyed at the prospect of Lukaku having had Juventus in his head throughout the end of last season.
Therefore, the Gazzetta suggest, it’s not impossible that Inter could decide to take action. They could even go directly to FIFA.
For their part, the Bianconeri deny that there has been any wrongdoing.
The Gazzetta report that whilst Juventus obviously don’t deny contacts with Lukaku, they give a different account.
The Turin giants claim that they only made their initial approach to Lukaku last month. Moreover, this came after they had already asked Chelsea, with whom the 30-year-old is under contract, for permission.
