EC asks Italian region to clarify football sponsorship

The European Commission has said it had given the Italian region of Calabria until next Monday to explain why development aid is being used to sponsor the national football team.

Calabria, one of Italy's poorest regions on the toe of the peninsula, has spent €1.8 million ($2.6 million) of aid to promote its tourism image by sponsoring the world champions in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"We have asked Calabria to clear up this particular investment. The region has until the 29th of this month to reply," a European Commission spokesman said.

The Commission wanted to be satisfied that the money had been spent according to its rules.

The region has also given European funds to a charitable foundation run by Italy and Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, who comes from Calabria.

The EC spokesman said the foundation "would not be eligible for development funds" and added that the region would have to pay money back to European contributors and the Commission if it was proved funds were misspent.