The troubles at Tottenham have gone from bad to worse as the club's managing director Fabio Paratici has been handed a worldwide ban by FIFA following Juventus' Prisma controversy.
The Serie A giants were found guilty of "financial malpractice", including false accounting, and were thus docked 15 points by the Italian FA. Additionally, several executives who were at the Bianconeri during this time period (2019-2021) were also charged, which includes Paratici, who was the Old Lady's sporting director.
FIFA statement on Fabio Paratici
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 29, 2023
"Following a request by Italian FA, the disciplinary committee has decided to extend sanctions imposed on several football officials to have worldwide effect".
Appeal will be crucial to understand Tottenham director's future. #THFC pic.twitter.com/nEaJ5c56QD
The Tottenham official was handed a 30-month ban by the FICG (the Italian FA) which initially only applied to Italian football. However, FIFA have now extended this punishment worldwide, which could force the 50-year-old to leave his position in North London.
The latest updates on Fabio Paratici. With FIFA banning the Tottenham managing director of football from worldwide football activities. Clarifications still await on whether Paratici can continue his role at Tottenham.
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 29, 2023
[via @SkyKaveh] pic.twitter.com/6r5mSAqD2m
Paratici has denied any wrongdoing and has appealed this decision, as has Juventus. However, the outcome remains unknown, thus throwing a spanner in the works at Spurs.
The Premier League side are currently without a permanent head coach following the sacking of Antonio Conte, with his assistant Cristian Stellini taking over in an interim role until the end of the season.
Several names have been identified for the job, including Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto de Zerbi, Luis Enrique, and former boss Mauricio Pochettino. As a result, Paratici was set for a busy few months between now and the summer in order to screen the candidates and appoint the right man for Tottenham.
Additionally, with Harry Kane's contract running — the Englishman will enter the final year of his deal this summer — Fabio would have also had contract negotiations scheduled with their talisman. However, the worldwide ban could prevent him from fulfilling his duties.
According to Sky Sports, the Italian "cannot conduct any transfer market activity directly, cannot talk to agents, or negotiate deals. Tottenham are yet to issue an official statement regarding this latest development.
