Italy coach Marcello Lippi has denied reports indicating that his Azzurri squad selection was influenced by former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi. Lippi was questioned about his relationship with Moggi on Friday by magistrates as part of their investigation into the scandals that hit Italian football. "Everything is alright and I am relaxed. From now on, I will focus only on the Italy squad," Lippi was quoted as saying by Football Italia. "I answered the I questions that public prosecutors Luca Palamara and Maria Cristina Palaia posed and was there as a witness," he added. Press reports claimed that Moggi, who has resigned from his post as Juve's general manager after a refereeing scandal, put pressure on Lippi to leave certain Juventus players out of Italy squad to give them some rest. Football in Italy was handed a major blow ahead of the World Cup as match-fixing and betting scandals arise. Italian newspapers presented alleged telephone conversations between Moggi and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) official Pierluigi Pairetto, who is responsible for appointing referees. The allegations have prompted wide criticism that resulted in FIGC president Franco Carraro's resignation before the Bianconeri board, including famous trio of Moggi, Managing director Antonio Giraudo and President Roberto Bettega, made the same action.
