Share

Football agent Raiola vows to fight 3-month Italy ban

Milan - Super agent Mino Raiola said Thursday he would be taking legal action to overturn a three-month ban imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) from brokering deals in Italy.

The outspoken agent - whose high-profile clients include Manchester United's Paul Pogba, Marseille's Mario Balotelli, and Juventus teenage striker Moise Kean - was handed the FIGC suspension on Wednesday.

The FIGC did not give a reason for the ban imposed on Raiola and his cousin Vincenzo Raiola, who is also an agent.

The ban would prevent the powerful Italian-Dutch agent from doing business with clubs in Italy for most of the summer transfer window.

But Raiola said he would take legal action, insisting the suspension follows his criticism of the Italian FA which he has called "weak and non-existent" and slammed over recent racism controversies.

"This Italian ban is not a surprise, unfortunately," the 51-year-old said in a statement.

"I guess the Italian Football Association has not forgiven me when I have diffused my critics for their role in the disastrous state of Italian football, as well as their role around the latest episode of the racism problem," he said.

"My personal concern is that it has been a sentence dominated by a political willing... It is a sentence based on false grounds and lies. 

"I will seek justice against this injustice and for freedom of speech in every legal court possible to me as my main task is the interest of Italian football."

Raiola insisted that the ban would have no impact on his work.

"This discussion is contained to the Italian territory and has no repercussion on the players I represent," he added.

Pogba, meanwhile, has been touted for a move to Real Madrid this summer.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Arsenal 1
Chelsea 0
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1843 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1810 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1100 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 470 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 261 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE