Suarez facing cheating accusations in Italian citizenship exam

Barcelona star Luis Suarez is facing accusation of cheating in an Italian citizenship exam as striker was aiming to move for Serie A champions Juventus.

An investigation is underway by the authorities after numerous reports surfaced in Italian media, accusing the 33-year-old of agreeing topics in an Italian citizenship exam before taking the test.

Juve explored the option of getting the South American an Italian passport, as he is married to a citizen of the country, meaning that he would not take up a non-EU spot in their squad.

The Uruguayan international travelled to Perugia to take the relevant tests, with the ‘B1’ assessment passed.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Perugia and the Guardia di Finanza are, however, now investigating alleged irregularities in that process.

Suarez is accused of agreeing topics ahead of his exam, allowing the result to be predetermined.

A statement from the relevant authorities read: “During the investigations, irregularities emerged in the exam taken by Luis Suarez to obtain the Italian citizenship.

“From the investigative activities it emerged that the topics covered by the exam had been agreed in advance and that the score had been assigned before the exam, and that the candidate had demonstrated only an elementary knowledge of the Italian language.

“Today the financial police are carrying out documentary acquisitions at the University of Perugia aimed at confirming the conduct described and notifying for crimes of disclosure of office secrets, ideological falsehood committed by public officials and more.”

The Bianconeri were quick to move to the front of a transfer queue once Ronald Koeman made it clear that the experienced Uruguayan frontman no longer figured in his plans at Camp Nou.