Tottenham Hotspur dealt significant blow ahead of crucial top four clash at Newcastle United

Tottenham Hotspur’s shambolic season has taken a fresh twist as banned director Fabio Paratici has seen his appeal thrown out by an Italian court.

Paratici, who resigned as Spurs’ managing director of football this morning, was handed a ban earlier this year for playing his part in a false accounting scandal at former club Juventus. That ban was initially applied to Italy, allowing Paratici to continue work at Tottenham, however it was then extended by FIFA to apply the sanction worldwide. That move only came to fruition late last month.

As a result, Paratici was placed on leave with the outcome awaited. The appeal, lodged with the Italian Olympic Committee, has since been rejected. That leaves Spurs’ hunt for a new manager, and any recruitment plans ahead of the summer transfer window, in limbo.

Paratici, who spent more than a decade in the administration at Italian giants Juve, had been expected to play a major role in the significant task of replacing departed manager Antonio Conte.

While former player Pavel Nedved and others involved in the scandal have seen their appeals upheld, Paratici joins controversial former chairman Andrea Agnelli, one of the architects of the failed elite club coup, the European Super League, in having his calls thrown out.

Paratici, according to the Evening Standard, is also said to be under a totally separate investigation by governing body UEFA.

The news is the latest in a long line of blows for Spurs, who travel to Newcastle United on Sunday looking to get their Champions League chase back on track.

Tottenham, now managed by former Conte assistant Cristian Stellini, sit three points behind Eddie Howe’s Magpies in fifth place. They’ve also played a game more than United, who are themselves looking to return to Europe’s premier competition for the first time in two decades.