The 30-year-old Juventus center-back, on loan with Dutch Eredivisie leaders Ajax, was found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol in July 2023 by a Turin court yesterday.
Rugani received a suspended sentence after being caught driving under the influence. The incident occurred on July 21, 2023, with test results showing 1.56 grams of alcohol per liter of blood, which is three times the legal limit.
He was initially given the option to pay a $5,000 fine (US$5.240), but Rugani refused. As a result, authorities confiscated his car, handed him a six-month suspended sentence, and revoked his driver’s license.
Rugani was behind the wheel of his Maserati when he was involved in a car accident, on the outskirts of Turin, on 21 July 2023. The standard breathalyser test revealed 1.56 grams per liter, three times over the legal limit of 0.5 g/l.
The judge handed Rugani a six-month suspended prison sentence, a fine of €2,000 (US$2,095) and revoked his driving licence. Rugani, who was not present for the hearing, unsuccessfully attempted to get the sentence moved to community service.
He joined Juventus’ youth academy from Napoli in 2012 for €150,000 (US$157,000) fee. He spent 2013-2015 on loan at Empoli, 2020/21 with French outfit Rennes, and was shipped out to Cagliari for six months in 2021.
Rugani has only made over 100 appearances for Juventus. This term he’s only made nine league appearances for Ajax, five as substitute, since moving on a season-long loan to the Amsterdam club last August.
His contract with the Bianconeri expires at the end of the 2025/26, and he is seen as surplus to requirements under head coach Thiago Motta.