Spurs make "urgent enquiries" to FIFA after Fabio Paratici issued worldwide ban

29 March 2023 , 19:19

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Fabio Paratici has been hit with a FIFA ban (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)

Tottenham have sought clarity about Fabio Paratici's ban as the sporting director's future remains unclear.

The executive's Italian Football Federation ban was extended by FIFA on Wednesday, meaning he can no longer take part in activities across the globe. This follows his involvement in the financial scandal at Juventus, which led to them being deducted 15 Serie A points. The true parameters of Paratici's ban remain unclear.

He was appointed at Tottenham in 2021 and, just months later, reunited with Antonio Conte when he was hired by the north London club. The former Chelsea boss left earlier this week and as the club search for a new permanent boss, they've been dealt another blow.

Spurs said in a statement released on Wednesday evening: "Following media reports today regarding the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decision to extend worldwide the sanction imposed by the FIGC Federal Court of Appeals on Fabio Paratici on 20 January 2023, the Club made urgent enquiries to FIFA. FIFA has late this afternoon responded to us in writing notifying us today, Wednesday 29 March 2023, that a decision has been made by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to extend the FIGC sanction worldwide.

"This committee deliberation has been taken with no advance notice to any of the parties involved. We are urgently seeking further clarification from FIFA as to the details of the extension and its variance from the FIGC sanction. We should like to make clear that when Fabio conducted the interview on Club channels yesterday neither he nor the Club had any indication of this decision being made by FIFA, based on the fact the FIGC sanction was taken on 20 January 2023 and remains subject to an Appeal on 19 April 2023. We shall update on this matter in due course."

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They Italian Football Federation said in a statement earlier on Wednesday: "FIFA has confirmed that - following a request by the Italian FA (FIGC) - the Chairperson of FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the sanctions imposed by FIGC on several football officials to have worldwide effect."

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Fabio Paratici ban relates to his time at Juventus (Getty Images)

Paratici - like several of Juventus-linked officials who've been hit with bans - has appealed his sanction, with a result expected in mid-April. In the meantime, Sky Sports claims the Tottenham sporting director cannot conduct any transfer market activity directly. Therefore, he cannot hold discussions with any agents nor negotiate deals.

The ban also comes at a time when the club are facing several other areas of uncertainty. On the pitch, they do not yet know whether they'll be competing in the Champions League next season as they fight with the likes of Newcastle and Liverpool for fourth spot.

Off it, having sacked Conte, chairman Daniel Levy is looking for another new manager to end the club's trophy drought. Talisman Harry Kane is also weighing up his next move amid the club's continued failure, with his contract entering its final 12 months this summer and several suitors keen to have him.

Samuel Meade