Mino Raiola to appeal three-month ban from Italian FA
Raiola says the ban is based on "false grounds and lies" and has accused Italian football of being in a "disastrous state".
Thursday 9 May 2019 14:59, UK
Football agent Mino Raiola has denied any wrongdoing and will appeal against a three-month ban issued by the Italian FA (FIGC).
Raiola, who represents players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Matthijs de Ligt, has been suspended until August 9 - banning him for the majority of the summer transfer window in Italy, which closes on August 18.
Vincenzo Raiola, cousin and business partner of Mino, has also been suspended for two months, although it is as yet unclear why the two men have been banned.
Mino Raiola's lawyer, Massimo Diana, has confirmed he will appeal against the suspension, which could prevent Raiola's clients signing for Italian clubs this summer.
"Mr Raiola has always complied with the regulations of the Italian Football Federation," Diana told Sky Sports News.
"Therefore Mr Raiola cannot find any other ground for his suspension, apart from the fact that he has criticised the Italian Federation in the past.
"In any event, before the start of the upcoming transfer window, Mr Raiola will demonstrate that the Italian Federation took liberties with the facts and its own regulations and therefore we are confident he will be free to act as an intermediary for the upcoming transfer window also in Italy."
In a strongly worded statement, Raiola accused Italian football of being in a "disastrous state" and said the decision to ban him is 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," he said.
"I will proudly conduct this fight in order to obtain what it is in conformity with law."
