TOTTENHAM managing director of football Fabio Paratici could be forced to step down from his role with the club.
Fifa have slapped the 50-year-old with a worldwide ban from all football activities after ex-club Juventus were found guilty of false accounting in January.
Paratici was initially handed a 30-month ban from Italian football but Fifa confirmed to the Guardian on Wednesday that it has been extended to worldwide.
According to Sky Sports, the Italian FA appealed for the ban to be extended to worldwide, and Fifa granted the request.
It plunges Tottenham further into crisis after boss Antonio Conte left the club by mutual consent on Sunday.
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Paratici had been leading Tottenham's hunt to find a new manager to replace Conte, but now will have to take a step back.
A Fifa statement on Wednesday said: "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."
Paratici, who denies the allegations, was among a number of Juventus chiefs to be banned after a hearing at a federal court of appeal, while the Serie A giants were docked 15 points.
Paratici spent 11 years at Juve from 2010 to 2021, including spells as head of technical affairs, sporting director and managing director.
Paratici, Juventus and the other officials involved have appealed against the sanctions and deny any wrongdoing.
Sky Sports claim the terms of the ban mean Paratici cannot directly negotiate transfers or talk to agents.
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But he can work internally at Tottenham, for example attending club meetings.
Tottenham released an interview with Paratici on Tuesday following Conte's departure, suggesting how central he is to club affairs.
He said parting ways with Conte "was the right decision for everyone".
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But now Paratici himself has been handed a worldwide ban from football, leaving the club in crisis.
While club chairman Daniel Levy has the final say on who the next boss will be, Paratici would have offered guidance on who to appoint.
Conte's right-hand man Cristian Stellini was named caretaker boss following Conte's departure, with ex-Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason set to assist him.
Speaking on the search for a new gaffer, Paratici told club media: "We have to be everyone focussed on the last part of the season.
"We do not speak about other coaches or follow the speculation in the media because it is just speculation. We are focussed, we are now concentrating on helping Cristian and helping the staff, Ryan, the players.
"I think, today, we have to be focussed in our squad, in our manager because it is an important moment."
