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• Tottenham seek urgent clarification after FIFA extends Paratici ban worldwide 'with no advance notice'

  Tottenham have reached out to FIFA for urgent "further clarification" after Fabio Paratici's ban was extended worldwide "with no advance notice" to the club.

  Paratici was one of 11 individuals banned by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in January after Juventus were found guilty of alleged breaches in relation to historical transfer dealings.

  The Bianconeri were docked 15 points in Serie A as part of the punishment, with Paratici and Juve denying any wrongdoing and lodging an appeal for the initial sanctions to the Italian Olympic Committee.

  Paratici was handed a 30-month ban by the FIGC but continued his role with Spurs due to his punishment only falling under the jurisdiction of Italian football's governing body.

  But FIFA confirmed on Wednesday those FIGC sanctions have been extended worldwide, with Tottenham demanding immediate clarity over the bans on their managing director of football Paratici.

  "Following media reports today regarding the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decision to extend worldwide the sanction imposed by the FIGC Federal Court of Appeals on Fabio Paratici on 20 January 2023, the club made urgent enquiries to FIFA," a club statement read.

  "FIFA has late this afternoon responded to us in writing notifying us today, Wednesday 29 March 2023, that a decision has been made by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to extend the FIGC sanction worldwide.

  "This committee deliberation has been taken with no advance notice to any of the parties involved. We are urgently seeking further clarification from FIFA as to the details of the extension and its variance from the FIGC sanction."

  The announcement came just a day after Paratici had addressed the club's media and stated head coach Antonio Conte's dismissal from Spurs was the "right decision for everyone".

  Paratici placed his full faith in interim boss Cristian Stellini, who will be in charge until the end of the season, and Spurs sought to clarify the interview took place prior to any knowledge of FIFA's sanctions.

  The statement added: "We should like to make clear that when Fabio conducted the interview on club channels yesterday neither he nor the club had any indication of this decision being made by FIFA, based on the fact the FIGC sanction was taken on 20 January 2023 and remains subject to an Appeal on 19 April 2023.

  "We shall update on this matter in due course."

• Rashford rubbishes 'nonsense' reports he is seeking £500k a week from Man Utd

  Marcus Rashford has denied "nonsense" claims he is holding out for a huge £500,000-a-week deal to stay at Manchester United.

  The England international, who has scored a career-best 27 goals in 44 games this campaign, is due to be out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of next season.

  According to British publication the Daily Star, Rashford's United future is in limbo due to the ongoing sale of the club and his big wage demands.

  However, the 25-year-old directly replied to the article on his personal Twitter page on Wednesday to deny that is the case.

  "Just before this one starts to do the rounds! It's complete nonsense," he posted. "The club and make self [sic] have been respectful to one another, and that's how it will remain. 

  "My focus is purely on finishing as well as possible in the league and winning trophies."

  Rashford added on Instagram: "Another non-story flying around about my advisors and me making demands. It's complete nonsense!

  "My aim and the club's aims are to finish as high as possible in the league and to try and win a cup or two."

  Rashford's goals tally this season has been bettered only by Kylian Mbappe (31) and Erling Haaland (42) among players across Europe's top five leagues.

  He has spent eight seasons as part of United's first team since making his big breakthrough with two goals on his debut against Midtjylland in February 2016 as an 18-year-old.

  Speaking last month, United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed the club are working on tying down the academy product to fresh terms.

  "Of course [Rashford's new contract] is a priority," he said. "We are working on that. Just sit and wait. In the background. we are working hard."

  Rashford missed England's two Euro 2024 qualifiers during the international window, but he is expected to be fit to feature against Newcastle United on Sunday.

• Bayern Munich always favourites against Borussia Dortmund, claims Goretzka

  Bayern Munich will always be favourites to beat Borussia Dortmund, with Leon Goretzka suggesting no team can face Die Roten at Allianz Arena and have the upper hand.

  The two teams meet in their first game back from the international break in what could be the most decisive encounter of the Bundesliga title race this season.

  Dortmund hold a one-point lead over their rivals, who dismissed coach Julian Nagelsmann and replaced him with former Black and Yellow boss Thomas Tuchel last week.

  Speaking ahead of the crunch clash though, Goretzka insisted the visitors' advantage in the league table means nothing when they go to Allianz Arena, given the hosts' pedigree.

  "We are ready," he told SportBILD. "We want the 11th championship in a row. To quote Kylian Mbappe, we are always favourites.

  "When we play at home, there isn't a team we don't go into the game against as favourites. I think [the pressure] is great.

  "I really enjoy these games. As a player, you don't want to be part of the team that can break this series [and miss out on another title win]."

  Nagelsmann's departure, despite guiding Bayern to the title last term and the Champions League quarter-finals this year, is a gamble for the Bavarian giants.

  But in Tuchel, they have a former Champions League-winning coach from his time at Chelsea, and Goretzka hopes he can help retain their Bundesliga crown.

  "We all know and appreciate his successes," he added. "[We] have great respect for his achievements and experience."