Veron's move to United still in doubt

Although Lazio's Argentine midfielder Sebastien Juan Veron was yesterday acquitted by an Italian Football Federation disciplinary court investigating false passports, his £31 million move to Premiership champions Manchester United nonetheless remains uncertain.

Media speculation had suggested that if Veron were to be absolved of charges in Italy's "passportopoli" investigation, then the way would be clear for a move to Manchester United.

Veron's agent Gustavo Mascardi has reportedly agreed terms with United but the move may now be blocked by Lazio's ongoing attempts to buy Barcelona's Brazilian ace Rivaldo.

Lazio have long been interested in Rivaldo and this week have sent emissaries to Barcelona to sound out both the Catalan club and the Brazilian's agent.

Sources close to Lazio suggested yesterday that Veron could become a key factor in the complex negotiations re Rivaldo, with the possibility of a player swap not being ruled out.

Lazio owner Sergio Cragnotti reportedly feels that Veron is worth even more than £31 million while he may also want to freeze all other Lazio transfer activity until such time as the outcome of his bid to buy Rivaldo has become clear.

Veron was one of 14 non-European Union players from six clubs all accused of "unsporting behaviour" re the manner in which they obtained Italian passports.

While yesterday's judgements dealt out harsh one-year bans to such as Inter Milan's Uruguyan striker Alvaro Recoba, AC Milan's Brazilian goalkeeper Dida and to former AS Roma players, Argentine Gustavo Bartelt and Brazilian Fabio Junior, Veron received a full acquittal.

Lazio, however, were fined £630,000, reportedly for "lack of vigilance", while one Lazio official, Felice Pulici, was suspended until June 2002.

Veron and Lazio had always argued that any "falsification" in the player's application for Italian citizenship had been committed, unknown to them, by the Argentine agency hired to trace Veron's Calabrian origins.

Furthermore, Lazio claimed that Veron had never actually been classified as a European Union player on team sheets:

Yesterday's Federation judgement may also have been influenced by the fact that Veron and Lazio are both currently under investigation by the Rome state prosecutor's office re charges of "document falsification". That latter case is due to come to court in October.

Clearly, if the state prosecution were to acquit Veron and Lazio of any wrongdoing, then the Federation would have found itself in a difficult position if it had already imposed either a fine or a suspension for the same "crime".

Furthermore, prior to yesterday's judgement, Lazio boss Sergio Cragnotti had warned that he would contest any fine or suspension handed out by the Football Federation in the state judiciary.

In all, 13 players and six club officials were suspended yesterday.

In addition, Inter Milan, AC Milan, AS Roma, Lazio, Sampdoria, Udinese and Vicenza all received hefty fines.

All the players, officials and clubs are expected to appeal yesterday's judgements in a hearing likely to come before the Federation's Appeals court in mid-July.