Italy magistrate to hand over scandal findings

ROME, June 19 (Reuters) The magistrate leading the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) probe into alleged match-fixing in Serie A is expected to finish his investigation today and pass his report to the Federation's prosecutor.

Francesco Borrelli, who headed the ''Clean Hands'' investigations into political corruption in the 1990s, will hand over the results of six weeks of interviews with referees and officials from the FIGC and leading clubs to Stefano Palazzi.

Guido Rossi, a lawyer who was appointed soccer commissar after the top FIGC brass resigned over the scandal, had given Borrelli until today to finish his investigation.

Italian media said the magistrate would hand over his report to Palazzi this afternoon.

Italy's biggest soccer scandal in 20 years broke last month after newspapers published transcripts of intercepted telephone conversations between former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi and FIGC officials discussing refereeing appointments.

Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina are among the clubs under investigation.

Rossi has given Palazzi until Friday to charge the accused and order them to stand trial beginning early next week. The FIGC chief said last week that he wants a ruling by July 9 -- the date of the World Cup final in Berlin.

If a club is found guilty of attempting to influence the outcome of matches, it faces possible penalties ranging from relegation to Serie B or having points deducted at the start of next season.

Individuals would face a ban from the sport.

Borrelli's report was not expected to recommend specific sanctions, leaving it up to Palazzi to decide which clubs or individuals should be charged and stand trial, local media said.

REUTERS PM VC1505