Blow for Juventus as Kalulu suspension upheld by FIGC
Juventus have been dealt a defensive blow after the FIGC rejected their appeal to have Pierre Kalulu’s suspension overturned, ruling the Frenchman out of Saturday’s Serie A clash with Como.
The Italian Football Federation, led by president Gabriele Gravina, dismissed Juventus’ request to have Kalulu reinstated following the controversy of the Derby d’Italia, as per reports from Goal Italia.
The Turin club had argued the ban was unjust in light of what they considered a simulation by Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, which led to the red card shown to their defender.
Kalulu will therefore miss the Como fixture before returning to the fold for Juventus’ trip to Roma on 1 March.
Kalulu ban upheld as Juventus prepare to do without
His absence is a notable one, the Frenchman has been ever-present this season, featuring in every competition including the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia.
Since August, Kalulu has made 36 appearances under both Igor Tudor and Luciano Spalletti, contributing two goals and five assists.
Saturday will mark the first time he has missed a match in the entire 2025/26 campaign.
Juventus will look to their squad depth to cope without him, though history offers some encouragement.
The last time Kalulu was absent, across the final two rounds of last season against Udinese and Venezia, serving a suspension, the Bianconeri won both games.
Whether they can repeat the trick without their defensive cornerstone remains to be seen when Como arrive at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday.