Juventus were handed a crushing 4-1 defeat at lowly Empoli in Serie A on Monday after they were docked 10 points in a new ruling over their transfer dealings, which makes it highly unlikely they will qualify for the Champions League.

Two goals by Francesco Caputo and a strike from Sebastiano Luperto made it 3-0 for Empoli just after halftime before Federico Chiesa pulled a goal back for Juve five minutes from time and Roberto Piccoli sealed Empoli’s win in stoppage time.

Juve, who learned about the new verdict shortly before kick-off, dropped from second to seventh following the points deduction. They are on 59 points, one behind AS Roma who occupy the final European qualifying place in sixth and five adrift of fourth-placed AC Milan with two games left.

Roma blow

AS Roma were held to a surprise 2-2 home draw by Salernitana on Monday that dented their hopes of qualifying for European football next season via their Serie A position.

Salernitana took a shock 12th-minute lead through Antonio Candreva and Roma equalised after the break thanks to Stephan El Shaarawy but Boulaye Dia put the visitors back in front before Nemanja Matic levelled again seven minutes from time.

Roma could qualify for next season’s Champions League by winning the Europa League final against Sevilla on May 31.

Asked about the latest Juventus verdict, manager Jose Mourinho said: “This is a joke, learning this with two games left to play.”