Fabio Paratici ‘appeals to FIFA against his worldwide ban from football after Tottenham exit’

Fabio Paratici has reportedly launched an appeal to FIFA over his two-and-a-half year worldwide ban from football.

The Italian was handed a 30-month ban for ‘financial malpractice’ which had originally only applied to Italian football, before the global governing body confirmed that it would be extended across the world. 

Paratici has since agreed to step back from his role as Tottenham’s managing director of football, and now Sky Sports have revealed that he is set to launch an appeal against his ban.

The Italian addressed the Spurs squad last month, before agreeing with the club that he would ‘take an immediate leave of absence pending the outcome of an appeal’. 

He was hit with his initial ban by the Italian FA in January, when he was one of 11 former Juventus executives punished over false accounting.

Fabio Paratici has launched an appeal over his 30-month worldwide ban from football

Paratici (left) since news of the ban has stepped back from his sporting director role at Tottenham

Cristian Stellini has been left to pick up the pieces at the north London club after the news surrounding Paratici, as well as Antonio Conte’s exit.

Conte left the club over the recent international break, after his last act for Spurs was the scathing interview he delivered after they threw away a 3-1 lead against Southampton.  

Paratici’s ban has added to the turmoil at Spurs, who were blindsided by FIFA’s decision, with Stellini recently admitting: ‘(It has been) a bit chaotic, absolutely a bit chaotic.’

Juventus were docked 15 points in January following the ‘Prisma’ investigation after they were found guilty of false accounting in relation to transfer dealings, with several current and former executives of the club receiving bans.

Paratici’s ban was the longest suspension handed to the 12 individuals sanctioned. 

He spent 11 years with Juventus from 2010 to 2021, which included a significant spell as sporting director, before he joined Spurs that summer.

Paratici was one of 12 ex-Juventus officials sanctioned after the Prisma investigation, which included ex-chairman Andrea Agnelli (second from L) and vice-president Pavel Nedved (L)

Tottenham’s issues were compounded by the exit of Antonio Conte as manager last month

The 50-year-old spent 11 years at Juventus and joined Tottenham back in the summer of 2021

Following the Prisma investigation, the other executives banned included former president Andrea Agnelli and CEO Maurizio Arrivabene who were sanctioned for two years.

Elsewhere, vice-president and former player Pavel Nedved received an eight-month suspension.

Paratici and Juventus have denied any wrongdoing and an appeal against the sanctions implemented by the Italian FA – which includes the the points deduction and banning of individuals – is set to be heard by the Italian Olympic Committee on April 19.

Tottenham in a club statement last month said: ‘This week – March 29, 2023 – the FIFA disciplinary committee announced a decision to extend the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) sanctions, relating to Fabio Paratici, worldwide.

‘This decision was taken in advance of Fabio Paratici’s appeal hearing against the FIGC sanctions on 19 April 2023, the result of which would then have been considered by additional stakeholders, including the club.

‘Given FIFA’s unexpected ruling the sanctions may now have multi-jurisdictional effect, although they are still related to the FIGC appeal.

‘In view of FIFA’s decision, Fabio has agreed with the club that he will take an immediate leave of absence pending the outcome of his appeal.’