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• Napoli 'lucky' not to have Serie A title rival, claims Totti

  Francesco Totti has lauded Napoli and "great coach" Luciano Spalletti but suggests the runaway Serie A leaders have been "also lucky" this season.

  Napoli are on course for their first Scudetto since 1990, when Diego Maradona was still at the club.

  The Partenopei are a mammoth 19 points clear with only 11 games remaining, making a title triumph almost an inevitability.

  Yet Roma great Totti, while praising their work under ex-Giallorossi boss Spalletti, believes they have benefited from the absence of a genuine competitor.

  Legend Totti won only one title with Roma, although they finished as runners-up on a further nine occasions across his remarkable career, missing out to Juventus, Milan and Inter.

  "I honestly didn't expect it like this," Totti told Sky Sport of Napoli. "I knew it was a good team with a great coach – it was a well-made combination.

  "They expressed themselves to the fullest in everything and were also lucky because they didn't have an opponent behind them who can keep up with their pace.

  "When we were there, there was always Juve, Inter, Milan who always clung there.

  "If you won 20 games, they won 19. Napoli doesn't have a second team like that."

  Lazio are Napoli's nearest rivals, but Juve would be second if not for a 15-point deduction. Even then, the Bianconeri would be 15 points off the pace.

• Tottenham chief Paratici faces uncertain future after ban extended worldwide by FIFA

  Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici's future at the club has been cast into doubt after his ban by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) was extended worldwide by FIFA.

  Paratici was one of 11 individuals connected with Juventus who were issued with bans by the FIGC in January after the club was found guilty of false accounting in relation to transfer dealings.

  Juventus were also docked 15 points as part of the punishment.

  Paratici and Juventus denied any wrongdoing, with an appeal against the initial sanctions imposed by the FIGC to be heard by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) on April 19.

  Despite his 30-month ban, Spurs director Paratici was able to continue his role with the Premier League club because the suspension only applied to Italian Football. 

  However, FIFA confirmed on Wednesday the bans handed out by the FIGC have been extended worldwide, meaning Paratici will be unable to fulfil his duties at Spurs unless his appeal is successful. 

  A widely reported FIFA statement read: "FIFA can confirm that following a request by the FIGC, the chairperson of the FIFA disciplinary committee has decided to extend the sanctions imposed by the FIGC on several football officials to have worldwide effect."

  The news comes just three days after the sacking of Spurs head coach Antonio Conte, with the Italian leaving after 17 months in charge. 

  Paratici, who would have likely played an important in appointing Conte’s replacement, appeared in a video on Tuesday outlining Spurs' plans for the rest of the season and describing the decision to fire the former Inter and Chelsea coach as "the right decision."

• Rumour Has It: Man Utd sanction £80m move for Kane to get the jump on transfer rivals

  Harry Kane's future at Tottenham remains in limbo, given his contract status and the departure of Antonio Conte.

  The 29-year-old forward, who recently became Spurs' all-time leading scorer, is out of contract in 2024.

  Kane has previously spoken about his desire to contend for silverware and almost joined Manchester City in 2021.

  TOP STORY – MAN UTD SANCTION KANE MOVE

  The Manchester United bosses have sanctioned a potential £80million deal for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, reports the Daily Star.

  United are ready to ramp up their interest in the England captain, who has interest from Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Chelsea.

  The report claims United hope to get the jump on their rivals and open up talks soon, with a view to having a deal agreed with Kane within weeks.

   

  ROUND-UP

  – The Times reports Bayern Munich want to sign Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount who previously worked with the German champions' new boss Thomas Tuchel.

  – Arsenal are circling for Eintracht Frankfurt's Danish midfielder Jesper Lindstrom who may be available for €30m, reports Sport1.

  – The Mirror claims Liverpool have joined the battle to sign Evan Ndicka from Eintracht Frankfurt as a free agent in the off-season.

  – Barcelona may cash in on Samuel Umtiti's revival on loan at Lecce and look to recoup a transfer fee this off-season according to SPORT.

  – Sky Italy claims former Real Madrid boss and France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane is on Tottenham's shortlist to replace Conte, along with Mauricio Pochettino, Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique.