Tuesday, 15th October, 2013
Former Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo is free to return to the capital club, if he chooses, after an administrative tribunal suspended his season-long ban.
The Brazilian was handed a nine-month ban in May this year for shoving a referee during a match between PSG and Valenciennes, and that punishment was increased to until June 2014 after an appeal.
Leonardo subsequently resigned from his post at PSG – almost immediately after the arrival of Napoli striker Edinson Cavani – and the club have yet to name his successor.
Leonardo's lawyers Maitres Christophe Bertrand and Paul Mauriac today revealed the ban had been suspended with the central argument being that their client did not hold a license on behalf of the French Football Federation at the time of the incident.
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According to Le Parisien, a decision on the merits of the case could still be taken in early 2014, but for now, Leonardo is free to resume his profession.
"Leonardo will speak later", Mr Mauriac said. "He is happy, relieved, and conscious of having conducted a legitimate struggle. His persistence was rewarded. It was a milestone.
"The administrative court decided to suspend the measure. Leonardo has his freedom of movement and becomes free to commit to a club or any team."
PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi had been toying with the idea of appointing a new sporting director after Leonardo's resignation, with names such as David Beckham, Pauleta and Luis Figo doing the rounds.
However, it is not yet clear if PSG will consider giving Leonardo his former role at the club with Olivier Letang currently handling assistant duties in that position.
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