Tottenham sporting director Fabio Paratici set to step down following FIFA ruling | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur sporting director Fabio Paratici will step aside after FIFA upgraded his ban in Italy to a worldwide ban.

Prosecutors found Juventus guilty of inflating their capital gains in November 2022 after the Italian football federation (FIGC) brought a case against them.

The FIGC believes Juventus used false accounting and market manipulation over the past seasons.

Following the news, Juventus’ board of directors, including president Andrea Agnelli and vice-president Pavel Nedved, resigned amid bans and suspensions.

Paratici was part of Juventus’ board when the illicit dealings happened. He received an initial two-and-a-half-year ban.

He moved to England to join Tottenham, escaping the chaos in Turin. But he will now have to serve his 30-month ban.

FIFA has ruled that the ban will apply everywhere, not only in Italy. This ruling means he must step down from his position with Spurs.

The governing body released a statement saying (via The Guardian): “FIFA can confirm 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.”

Unless Juventus win the appeal in April, Paratici will have to leave the north London club.

If the 50-year-old leaves, it will increase the work for Daniel Levy this summer. They would have to find a new sporting director while trying to replace recently dismissed manager Antonio Conte.

Paratici will be a massive miss for Tottenham heading into the summer transfer window.

Juventus continue to deny any wrongdoing but have taken a 15-point deduction for their unlawful practices.

Despite the deduction, Juventus are within seven points of fourth-place AC Milan.

The Bianconeri also aim to qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League, where they have reached the quarter-finals and will face Sporting CP.