It has been a rough week for Tottenham Hotspur. After the ignominious departure of head coach Antonio Conte, the club has now lost another key leader in association football director Fabio Paratici.
On Wednesday, FIFA — soccer’s governing body — issued Paratici a global ban from the sport for his involvement in an Italian soccer accounting scandal.
Paratici, who joined Spurs in 2021, was a key part of Juventus’ leadership team during the scandal. He received a 30-month ban from Italian soccer as punishment for his involvement.
“FIFA can confirm that following a request from the Italian FA [FIGC], the chairperson of the FIFA disciplinary committee has decided to extend the sanctions imposed by the FIGC on several football officials to have a worldwide effect,” an organization spokesperson told the Guardian.
The ban means that Paratici’s days with the Hotspurs are over. He was the driving force behind the signings of underperformers Emerson Royal and Ivan Perisic.
For some, the move could be viewed a sign that the Spurs’ leadership team is veering out of control.
Per Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph. the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust called the situation “extremely concerning,” adding that “fans deserve to hear a clear statement of strategy.”
The Spurs are currently fourth in the Premier League with 10 games remaining. Two points separate them from fifth-place Newcastle United — a gap Newcastle could close by beating Spurs on April 23.
Totenham must hang on to fourth to guarantee its return to the Champions League next season.
