Paulo Dybala, Arthur Melo, and Weston McKennie suspended by Juventus

Juventus trio Paulo Dybala, Arthur Melo and Weston McKennie have been “temporarily suspended” by the club and will thus miss Saturday’s Derby della Mole against Torino.

There are conflicting reports regarding the details of the event which has earned the players fines and suspensions. Although, the trio certainly broke COVID-19 regulations.

What went down on Wednesday night?

La Stampa reports that there were over 20 people at the ‘party’ that they all attended at McKennie’s house on Wednesday night, while TuttoJuve’s Mirko Di Natale describes the event as a mere “poker dinner” with ten people – including four who live with McKennie.

Other reports have said that there were three other Juventus players at McKennie’s house on Wednesday night, but they’d left before the police check at 11:30 p.m. Such reports are unconfirmed at this stage.

Paulo Dybala’s girlfriend, Oriana Sabatini, meanwhile, attempted to downplay the situation:

"“It was not a party. Paulo had a meal, like he does every Wednesday. Every week there are the same people. Yesterday, they were not even 10 people! It’s not true the fact that they were 20. I think the media want to create controversy,” she said."

Nevertheless, whether it was a harmless poker party or an outright rave, the principle remains. It was a violation of COVID-19 protocol and Juve are – rightly – said to be outraged at their players.

Thus, Fabrizio Romano reports that all three have been fined, excluded and temporarily suspended by Juventus, meaning they’ll play no part in Saturday’s derby.

Dybala’s delayed return

Dybala, who was poised to make his return to the Juve squad following a lengthy injury lay-off, took to Instagram to apologise to fans: “I know that in such a difficult time in the world [Covid] it would have been better not to make such a mistake, but I was wrong to attend the dinner. It wasn’t a party, anyway I was wrong and I’m sorry.”

The absence of the trio is a huge blow for Andrea Pirlo – who may well be coaching for his job – as the Bianconeri look to bounce back from their pitiful 1-0 home defeat to Benevento before the much-needed international break. The shock defeat cut them further adrift of Antonio Conte’s Nerazzurri in the ‘race’ for the Scudetto, with Inter currently boasting a ten-point advantage over Juve.

However, without Arthur, McKennie, and Dybala, their upcoming task has got just that little bit trickier against a Torino side fighting for their lives towards the foot of the table.