TOTTENHAM have broken their silence after director of football Fabio Paratici was hit with a worldwide ban.
Fifa banned Paratici from all football activities after ex-club Juventus were found guilty of false accounting in January
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He was initially handed a 30-month ban from Italian football but Fifa confirmed on Wednesday that it has been extended to worldwide.
And now Spurs have spoken out by releasing a statement.
It read: “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.”
Paratici had been leading Tottenham’s hunt to find a new manager to replace Antonio Conte, but he will now will have to take a step back.
The Italian – who denies the allegations – was among a number of Juventus chiefs to be banned after a hearing at a federal court of appeal, while the Serie A giants were docked 15 points.
He spent 11 years at Juve from 2010 to 2021, including spells as head of technical affairs, sporting director and managing director.
Paratici, Juventus and the other officials involved have appealed against the sanctions and deny any wrongdoing.
Currently, the terms of the ban means Paratici cannot directly negotiate transfers or talk to agents.
But he can work internally at Tottenham, for example attending club meetings.
Spurs released an interview with Paratici on Tuesday following Conte’s departure, suggesting how central he is to club affairs.
He said parting ways “was the right decision for everyone”.
But now Paratici’s worldwide ban from football leaves the club in further crisis.
Club chairman Daniel Levy has the final say on who the next manager will be but Paratici would have offered guidance on who to appoint.
Conte’s right-hand man Cristian Stellini was named caretaker boss, with ex-Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason set to assist him.
Julian Nagelsmann and former manager Mauricio Pochettino remain frontrunners to succeed Conte.
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