Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici has taken a step back from his role pending the appeal against his worldwide ban. The suspension imposed on Paratici in Italy was extended globally on Wednesday, further complicating Spurs’ season. After his previous team, Juventus, where he worked for 11 years, was found guilty of false accounting, an Italian court sentenced Paratici to a two-and-a-half-year exile from the game in January. While Paratici’s sentence first prevented him from working in Italy, FIFA’s extension of the Italian FA’s (FIGC) ban resulted in Tottenham “seeking further clarity” from FIFA, despite the fact that an appeal had already been lodged with the FIGC Federal Court of Appeals. The appeal will be heard on April 19, but Paratici has been released from the Premier League team.
“The FIFA disciplinary committee declared on Thursday, March 29, 2023, that it has decided to extend the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) sanctions globally,” Tottenham said in a statement. “This decision was made before to Fabio Paratici’s appeal session against the FIGC fines on April 19, 2023, the outcome of which would have been reviewed by other parties, including the club. The fines may have a multi-jurisdictional impact as a result of FIFA’s surprising verdict, although they remain linked to the FIGC appeal. Fabio and the club have agreed that he will take an immediate leave of absence while his appeal is heard in light of FIFA’s decision.”
Tottenham parted ways with Antonio Conte on Sunday, and former assistant Cristian Stellini has been tasked with heading the club for the next ten games of the season. During his first news conference since his long-time friend’s departure, the 48-year-old said Spurs were not in a crisis.
“We have big shoulders for situations like this, so it’s a little frantic. We had an international break, which was great because it gave us time to think. The club and each of us had to make a decision that would benefit everyone. No, it is not a crisis club because everyone makes good judgments, and when you make a decision and follow through on it, you are not in a crisis,” Stellini said.
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