Italian cops probe Spurs chief Paratici

TOTTENHAM’S managing director

Fabio Paratici is under investigation by Italian police over his role in transfer dealings by his former club Juventus.

Paratici, who was hired by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy in June following 11 years as Juventus’ chief football officer, is one of six present and former officials at the Turin club who face the police probe.

On Friday, Juventus — whose defeat yesterday left them in eighth place — were raided by police, who seized documents relating to transfers, invoices and financial statements from offices in Turin and Milan — as they examine the club’s profits from transfers and agents’ fees between 2019 and 2021. Officials under investigation include club president Andrea Agnelli and vice president Pavel Nedved. Paratici was instrumental in hiring Antonio Conte as Spurs manager.

Conte worked closely with Paratici at Juventus from 2011-14, winning three consecutive Serie A titles with the club.

Reports in Italy suggest police are investigating profits grossing £42million made in a 24-month spell. A spokesperson for the Turin public prosecutor’s office said: ‘The

Turin financial police unit was instructed to find documentation and other useful elements relating to the company financial statements approved in the years from 2019 to 2021, with reference to the purchase and sale of rights to the sports performance of the players, and the regular formation of financial statements.

‘Under consideration are various transfer operations of professional players and the services rendered by some agents.’

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claims 42 transfers are under the police microscope, including the £27.4m move of defender Joao Cancelo to Manchester City in August 2019, with Danilo heading to Juve in part-exchange.