Questions raised over Buffon payments to bookmaker

The Juventus goalkeeper is said to have handed over 14 cheques worth a total value of €1.5 million to a Parma-based tobacconist and betting shop

The Guardia di Finanza has revealed that it has raised questions over payments made by Italycaptain Gianluigi Buffon to a bookmaker.

According to a document released by Italy's financial law enforcement agency, the Juventus goalkeeper made out 14 cheques to a Parma-based tobacconist, which also serves as a betting shop, over a nine-month spell. The report claimed that Buffon handed over approximately €1.5 million to the owner.

While gambling on sporting events is legal, Buffon, as a member of the Italian Football Federation, is forbidden from placing wagers on any games sanctioned by the FIGC, Fifa or Uefa.

However, it is not yet known whether any of the money was for gambling purposes, or if indeed the former Parma player's alleged bets were placed upon other sports, which he is entitled to do.

The Azzurri star's lawyer has stated that the cheques were merely "transfers designed to protect Buffon's personal assets."

The Guardia di Finanza checks, which are being carried out by the Turin Prosecutor, are not related to the Cremona-led enquiry into match-fixing that earlier this week resulted in Italy left-back Domenico Criscito having his room searched by police.

The news, though, comes in the wake of Buffon's criticism of the Italian press for what he believed was sensationalist coverage of the Scommessopoli scandal.

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Stefano Mauri, Lazio Captain,... Arrested!

Lazio captain Stefano Mauri and several other top Serie A players were arrested on Monday as part of an investigation into the so-called Calcioscommesse sports betting scandal.

Lazio Midfielder Stefano Mauri, 32, who joined the Rome club from Udinese in 2006 and has 11 caps for Italy, made 16 league appearances last season as Lazio finished fourth in Serie A was held along with former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto, 36, signed for Serie B side Padova last summer after five years at Genoa and made 15 starts last season. police said.

They were one of 19 people implicated in the affair as police swooped on a number of addresses up and down the country, according to the Ansa news agency

Juventus coach Antonio Conte, who just led the club to the Serie A title in his first season in charge, is among those being questioned by police.

Officers also visited Italy's pre-Euro 2012 training camp to question left-back Domenico Criscito, 25, a former Genoa and Juventus defender, is now at Zenit St Petersburg in Russia and has 19 caps for Italy

Police are searching more than 30 homes, including those of players, trainers and administrators of clubs in Serie A, Serie B and lower divisions.

Five people were also arrested in Hungary on suspicion of being part of an illegal international betting ring.

Monday's operation was part of a wider investigation which has already seen a number of arrests of current and former Italian players. In June last year, the Interior Ministry set up a special match-fixing task force in response to a number of high-profile cases.

Former Atalanta captain and Italy midfielder Cristiano Doni was banned for three-and-a-half years in August  for his part in the 'Calcioscommesse' scandal involving Serie B matches last season. He was also arrested in December 2011 over match-fixing and betting allegations.

Atalanta, promoted from Serie B, were deducted six points in the top flight this season as a result of the scandal.

Former Lazio and Italy striker Giuseppe Signori was banned for five years and 15 other players were banned for between one and five years for their parts.