Infront confirmed Tuesday that the head of its Italian branch and two associates are under investigation for "alleged manipulation" over the sale of lucrative Serie A TV rights, according to Andrew Dampf of the AP. Infront said that prosecutors in Milan "opened a probe" against branch President Marco Bogarelli, Andrea Locatelli and Giuseppe Ciocchetti "related to an alleged contribution to undue financing practices in Italian football and an alleged manipulation of the administrative process" for the sale of the '15-18 domestic rights. The Switzerland-based marketing firm Infront Sports and Media "is led by Philippe Blatter." The company said, "Infront as a company is not facing a formal probe in these subject matters." Italian media said that Bogarelli "fixed a deal between Sky, Mediaset and clubs for the rights." The presidents of Serie A clubs Lazio and Genoa, plus Serie B's Bari, "are also reportedly under investigation as part of the expanding inquiry." Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported Genoa Owner Enrico Preziosi and Bari President and former referee Gianluca Paparesta "are being investigated by prosecutors in Milan for accepting illegal payments from Infront in order to register their clubs with league authorities." Tax and Finance consultant Andrea Baroni, who Italian media linked to Infront, "was arrested Friday on charges of criminal association aimed at money laundering and tax evasion" (AP, 10/13).
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