Magistrates close Naples strand of Italy scandal

NAPLES, Italy, June 13 (Reuters) Naples prosecutors have closed one chapter of the criminal investigations into Italy's soccer scandal, and officials and referees involved will know soon whether they face trial, a legal source said today.

The probe in the southern port city is considered the most significant of four separate criminal investigations into ''Calciopoli'', the scandal that stretches from alleged match fixing to illegal betting.

The source said Naples magistrates had notified 37 people that the investigation had ended -- the last step under Italian law before accused hear whether they will face trial.

Magistrates in the southern port city had investigated 41 people, including former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi and referee Massimo De Santis, for sporting fraud.

Both Moggi, who resigned from Juve, and De Santis, who was withdrawn from officiating at the World Cup in Germany, have denied wrongdoing.

Italy's newspapers have been full of phone-tap transcripts which investigators say appear to show officials from some of Italy's top teams tried to influence which referees were picked for certain matches.

The scandal centres on Serie A champions Juventus, who could face relegation if the allegations stick.

AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina also have been investigated.

Today, Sampdoria's Chairman Riccardo Garrone denied any wrongdoing by his club.

As Italy's top players tried to concentrate on their World Cup campaign in Germany, the future careers of many of them -- particularly the 12 players in the national squad who play for Juve, Milan or Lazio -- remained in question as Italy's football federation continued its own investigation.

Francesco Borrelli, the anti-corruption magistrate brought out of retirement to conduct the probe, has said he will complete his investigation by the end of this week and hand his evidence to the federation's sporting prosecutor.

The football federation is expected to launch its own trial before the end of June.

Reuters PM RS1615