Scandal spreads as Juve's CEO probed over accounts

The scandal surrounding Italian football spread yesterday with the revelation that Juventus CEO Antonio Giraudo was under investigation for false accounting.

Judicial sources in Turin said a magistrates investigation into Giraudo, related to Juve's transfer dealings, had been underway for sometime.

Serie A leaders Juventus are already under the spotlight of two magistrates' investigations looking into the business operations of their general manager Luciano Moggi.

Telephone taps published in Italian newspapers last week, featuring Moggi's conversations with senior Football Federation officials about refereeing appointments, have led the Federation to open their own investigation.

Moggi is being investigated by magistrates in Naples and Rome in two separate probes into football gambling and the operation of a management company owned by Moggi's son Alessandro.

The GEA management firm has nearly 200 players and coaches on its books and Rome magistrates have put them under investigation for "illegal competition with use of threats and violence".

The fallout from the publication of the telephone taps has led Football Federation president Franco Carraro to resign.

Juventus, whose owners have declined to give any public backing to Moggi and Giraudo, are due to hold a board meeting today.

Juve, who are bidding to retain the league title, are three points clear of Milan with one match left.