An inquiry into the dealings of GEA began two years ago, but the probe has intensified following the opening of another investigation by the Italian football federation into allegations Luciano Moggi handpicked referees for his team's matches last season.

The GEA case concerns alleged illegal betting on football matches in Italy. The inquiry was opened in June 2004 after Franco Dal Cin, director of Italian lower league club Venezia, claimed GEA 'controlled' a number of top referees and were using them to influence the outcome of results.

GEA are also being accused of abusing their dominant market position and creating unfair competition.

Luciano Moggi, who could be called to give evidence in the GEA case, is already in hot water.

Earlier this week The Gazzetta dello Sport and the Corriere della Sera published transcripts of telephone conversations between Moggi and Pierluigi Pairetto, a former member of the federation's refereeing commission.

In these conversations, Moggi asks for officials of his choice to be assigned to his team's matches.

Moggi is also accused of having asked Pairetto to select a specific referee for a Champions League encounter in 2004 against Djurgardens of Sweden. At the time, Pairetto was also vice-president of the UEFA refereeing commission.

The transcripts may not be sufficient to suggest corruption or match-fixing by Moggi, but they could result in league-imposed sanctions on Juventus.