Paul Pogba’s possible summer Real Madrid transfer is now seemingly in jeopardy as Mino Raiola will serve a three-month worldwide ban from acting as a representative of football players.
Raiola, who is an agent for many of Europe’s biggest names including Manchester United midfielder Pogba, Mario Balotelli, Lorenzo Insigne and Moise Kean, was handed the suspension by Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) who have also banned his cousin Vincenzo for two months.
A reason for the decision has not yet been revealed and comes less than a month after the agent escaped punishment for calling the Italian Football Federation ‘weak and non-existent’.
An FIGC statement said: “The Sports Procurators Commission, any other exception, deduction and defence rejected, condemns Mr Carmine [Mino] Raiola and Mr Vincenzo Raiola, on his own behalf and as legal representatives of the companies they represent to sanction of the suspension from the exercise of the activity of sports attorney to the extent.
“Respectively: with regard to Mr. Carmine Raiola, of 3 months, with regard to Mr. Vincenzo Raiola, of 2 months.”
The 51-year-old Italian, who resides in Monaco, posted a lengthy message on his Twitter account after the decision had been made on Thursday, as it was originally thought it would only apply in Italy
It was assumed this ban would not affect any business elsewhere, meaning he would still be free to negotiate a move away from Old Trafford for Pogba, who is said to have his heart set on a move to Real Madrid.
However, on Friday FIFA announced that the ban would be a worldwide sanction, potentially scuppering transfer plans for Raiola’s clients this summer.
“Carmine Raiola is suspended for a period of three months and Vincenzo Raiola for a period of two months
Verified account @MinoRaiola pic.twitter.com/am1i0GqQSC
Raiola had already held talks with Real in the hope of securing a move for his mega-money client and was reportedly planning to tell Ed Woodward that the Spanish giants are prepared to offer about £100m, a slight increase on the fee United paid Juventus in 2016.
United, though, are said to want close to £160m for the 26-year-old Frenchman and this latest change in Raiola’s circumstances will undoubtedly complicate the situation further.
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