FIFA has extended bans imposed on former and current Juventus officials to apply globally, the football governing body announced on Wednesday, with Tottenham Hotspur’s current managing director of football Fabio Paratici among those impacted.
An Italian soccer court examining the club’s transfer dealings and finances deducted Juventus 15 points for the season in January.
Several of the club’s officials were also barred from having positions in Italian football by the court. These included a 30-month suspension for former sports director Paratici, who joined Tottenham in 2021 after an 11-year stint at Juventus.
Juventus has denied any wrongdoing and stated that their accounting followed industry norms. They have also filed an appeal against the decision.
“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,” a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters.
Tottenham said they contacted FIFA after hearing about the decision in the media and got confirmation late Wednesday.
“This committee deliberation has been taken with no advance notice to any of the parties involved,” the club said in a statement.
“We are urgently seeking further clarification from FIFA as to the details of the extension and its variance from the FIGC sanction.
“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 January 20 and remains subject to an appeal on April 19.”
The ruling by FIFA casts doubt on Paratici’s future at Tottenham and adds to the uncertainty surrounding the London club, which is presently looking for a new manager after parting ways with Antonio Conte on Sunday.
