Italian courts have sentenced three people to one and a half years in prison for participating in a fraudulent language exam. The test was conducted in 2020. by the striker Luis Suárez at the University for Foreigners of Perugia.
At the time, the Uruguayan was negotiating a transfer to Juventus. Former rector Giuliana Grego Bolli, former director-general Simone Olivieri, and professor Stefania Spina were convicted.
The charges involve falsifying documents and revealing official secrets. Despite the sentencing, all those involved received suspended sentences.
“The charges have already been reduced in this first instance, and the sentences were less severe than those requested by the prosecution. We will await the grounds for the sentence and then appeal,” stated Francesco Falcinelli, Olivieri's lawyer.
The judge in the case confirmed that Suárez admitted to having had prior access to the content of the exam. The investigation indicated that the player did not know how to conjugate verbs or form simple sentences.
Despite the difficulties, the striker passed with an intermediate level (B1). This was the minimum requirement to obtain Italian citizenship through his wife, Sofia Balbi.
Citizenship was essential for the transfer. Juventus had already reached its limit of non-EU players and needed Suárez to have a European passport.
Since the process wouldn't be completed before the transfer window closed, the club abandoned the deal. Juventus signed Álvaro Morata, and Suárez went to Atlético de Madrid at the time.
