Fabio Paratici has lost his appeal against his 30-month ban by the Italian FA - and now faces an increasingly uncertain future at Tottenham.
Juventus had their 15-point reduction for false accounting suspended pending a retrial and immediately jump up to third place in Serie A. But Paratici, who worked at the Turin club from 2010 until 2021, failed in his bid to have his suspension overturned by Italy’s highest sports court on Thursday.
FIFA last month made the Italian ban worldwide and the Italian, 50, was forced to step aside from his role as Tottenham’s sporting director. Paratici is unable to play any part in recruiting the next head coach following the departure of Antonio Conte.
He now has the option to take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland or start a civil court case but both options risk taking months.
Pavel Nedved, Paolo Garimberti and Enrico Vellano were all successful in appealing against their charges but Paratici, Andrea Agnelli and Federico Cherubini had their appeals rejected.
Wednesday saw an appeal hearing take place at CONI headquarters in Rome in front of the Sports Guarantee Panel chaired by Gabriella Palmieri Sandulli.
After almost three hours of evidence, the hearing concluded at 4.15pm (BST) and a council chamber was called but a final decision on the appeal was pushed back until Thursday.
CONI prosecutor general of sport Ugo Taucer had suggested during the hearing that a new trial could occur, saying: “I actually fear that there is an unfoundedness with respect to the points awarded to the team and there is a lack of reasons that should be evaluated in a new judgement.”
It could take up to a month for the official reasons for the final outcome to be presented to FIGC Court of Appeals, who will now aim to hold another trial in late May to decide Juventus’ fate.
Paratici had been drawing up a list of candidates to replace Antonio Conte before he temporarily stepped away from his role last month. Spurs have played three times since Conte left the club on March 26 with a draw at Everton followed by a controversial victory over Brighton before last weekend saw them lose 3-2 at home to Bournemouth.
It dented Tottenham’s top-four hopes and has increased the scrutiny on acting head coach Cristian Stellini, who faces a crunch week with games against Newcastle, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Stellini can expect to face further questions about Paratici in his press conference on Friday with the future of the Italian director uncertain.
