Capello may be charged over court evidence

ENGLAND COACH Fabio Capello is being investigated by an Italian state prosecutor on suspicion of withholding information from a court, a judicial source has said.

The prosecutor intends to bring a case against Capello and former Juventus director Antonio Giraudo after they gave evidence in a trial of six men accused of fostering unfair competition through the use of threats or violence as part of Italy's Gea World sports agency, the source said.

Under Italian law, a person found guilty of withholding information in court can be jailed for up to six years.

In London, an English Football Association spokesman said: "It is a private matter and the FA have no comment to make."

As a witness, Capello had earlier told the court in Rome he never dealt with player contracts while in Italy and never heard of players being put under pressure to sign specific agreements.

Former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi, also at the centre of Italy's 2006 match-fixing affair, and Davide Lippi, son of former Italy coach Marcello, are among the defendants.

Capello worked under Moggi at Juventus from 2004-2006.

His time in charge of AS Roma between 1999 and 2004 also interested the court.

The 61-year-old, appointed as England coach in December, is also being investigated for alleged tax fraud by prosecutors in Turin.

Capeelo has said his finances are in order and was not aware of any matters which would be of concern.

In court, Capello denied having had relations with the directors of the Gea agency and denied having been put under pressure over the management of players during his time at Juve and Roma.

Prosecutor Luca Palamara asked the court for and obtained the transcripts of Capello and Giraudo's statements, accusing both of withholding information, the source said.

It was not clear which part of Capello's testimony the prosecutor was unhappy with.

"I give indications for transfers, then I give the assignment to the sporting director of the club and he takes care of it," Capello had said about his practices as a club coach.

Capello was coach of Juventus when they were demoted to Serie B and stripped of their 2005 and 2006 Italian championships because of a match-fixing scandal linked to procuring favourable referees. He subsequently left for a second spell in charge of Real Madrid.

Moggi was banned from football for five years for his part in the scandal.

Moggi was told off in court yesterday for gesturing to England assistant coach Franco Baldini, who was also a witness from his time as Roma sporting director with Capello.

Moggi's son Alessandro, also on trial, is head of Gea World.

Capello was appointed as England coach after they failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

His side beat Switzerland 2-1 at Wembley in February in his first game in charge but a tame England lost 1-0 in France last week in a second friendly.