Fabio Paratici's global ban reduced by FIFA
By Tom Gott
FIFA have partially reduced the global ban handed out to former Tottenham and Juventus director Fabio Paratici, allowing him to remain in football.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) led charges against Paratici and ten other former Juventus executives over accusations of inflating transfer fees to balance the club's financial records, banning him from working in Italy for 30 months.
FIFA later extended Paratici's ban to cover the entire globe, forbidding him from any football-related activities, which forced the Italian to resign from his role as Tottenham director.
Paratici has appealed the ruling and has seen his punishment partially reduced. While he is still banned from entering dressing rooms and negotiating with players or agents, he is now free to attend training sessions and perform administrative work behind the scenes.
"FIFA has upheld the appeal presented by Fabio Paratici against the provision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee which, in extending the temporary inhibition imposed by the FIGC worldwide, extended it to a ban on taking part in any activity linked to football," a statement from Paratici's legal team read.
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"Paratici, assisted before FIFA by a team of lawyers made up of Paolo Lombardi, Luca Pastore and Ian Laing, will therefore be able to continue working in the world of football, albeit with reduced duties compared to those carried out to date, in compliance with the limits imposed by the sanction imposed by the FIGC."
The ruling means Paratici would not be able to return to the sort of role he had at either Juventus or Tottenham, although the latter have already moved on anyway and have begun identifying potential replacements for their director of football role.
Former Spurs assistant Cristian Stellini, who was dismissed as interim manager earlier this week, had previously pledged his support for Paratici.
“He’s a man who works with passion," Stellini said. "I hope for him [to come back]. I am very close to him on a human level and I hope for him he will be back but it’s not my decision, it’s the decision of Fabio.
“All people deserve to have a second chance in their life. This is important for everyone but you have to work hard and be the best possible you can.”
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