Top clubs involved in match-fixing investigation

NAPLES, Italy, May 12: Serie A clubs AC Milan, Lazio, Juventus and Fiorentina are among the teams being investigated about potential match-fixing, the public prosecutor of Naples said today.

Giovandomenico Lepore told reporters that 41 individuals were now formally under investigation including referees, Football Federation officials and a journalist.

The Naples magistrates are looking into suspicions of ''criminal association'' and ''sporting fraud''.

Lepore confirmed media reports that the investigation was looking into 19 Serie A matches from last season and one game from the second tier Serie B.

The first formal hearing of the investigation will take place on Monday in Rome when Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi, who is at the centre of the affair, will be questioned, Lepore said.

The scandal erupted last week when newspapers published transcripts of Moggi's telephone conversations with senior Football Federation officials regarding refereeing appointments.

REUTERS