Juve defend player treatment after union outrage over Bonucci dispute

Juventus insisted on Wednesday that there was nothing wrong with their treatment of ageing outcast Leonardo Bonucci after the Italian footballers’ association said his “dignity is being trampled on”.

In a statement which didn’t mention Italy captain Bonucci, Juve defended the “legitimacy of its actions towards all registered players who are recognised and are fully guaranteed all the rights” agreed in professional football’s collective bargaining agreement.

Defender Bonucci has been frozen out by Juve and is not training with the first team, even missing out on the Serie A club’s pre-season tour in the USA last month.

Italian media report that Bonucci, who is 36 and has one year left on his contract, has formally requested via his legal representatives he be reinstated in the first team.

Juve added that the club is “also ready… to defend the full legitimacy of its behaviour” should Bonucci launch legal action against the team he captained last

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