Coach Lippi says Italy focused on football not scandal

FLORENCE, Italy, May 27: Italy coach Marcello Lippi knew his son was likely to be drawn into the scandal that has engulfed Italian football and insists his team are managing to concentrate on their preparations for the World Cup.

Lippi's son Davide, who is a players' agent, was formally put under investigation yesterday by prosecutors looking into the GEA World agency run by Alessandro Moggi, the son of former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi.

''Lippi is fine, both Lippis are fine,'' the Italy coach told reporters at the team's training camp today.

''About 20 days ago, I told my son that with all the stuff that was coming out, given who he had collaborated with, he shouldn't expect to stay out of it,'' Lippi said.

The Italy coach himself is not under investigation. Along with several of the country's top coaches, he has spoken to magistrates simply as a person informed of the facts'.

''We live in a country where if you speak to the authorities as a person informed of the facts' then you are treated as though you are under investigation.

''If you are put under investigation then you are treated as though you have been condemned,'' said Lippi.

''We will see who has something to repent for and who doesn't.

Some people might be found to have rushed to judgment and to then have been proved wrong - they might apologise for that but it never happens, never happens.'' Lippi said the work of his players had not been affected by the rumbling scandal that continues to dominate Italian media.

''There has been no difference in the approach of the lads, they are showing the same desire as they have always done.

''Away from the field they might give some attention to other things, but on the field their mental approach to work has been exceptional, fantastic,'' said Lippi.

''Everyone is calm, some have some problems that need to be cleared up and we hope they are cleared up quickly, but everyone is calm.'' Italy face Switzerland in Geneva on Wednesday in their first pre-World Cup friendly and then travel to Lausanne to play Ukraine on Friday.

Italy's opening game of Group E is against Ghana on June 12.

Lippi's side also face the Czech Republic and the United States.

REUTERS