A CORRUPTION investigation by the Italian FA has a weight of evidence against Juventus, possibly condemning the Serie A champions to relegation, newspaper reports have said.

The report by Francesco Saverio Borrelli, the Italian FA’s investigator, also appeared to threaten AC Milan’s Serie A status. “Juve trembles, Milan in trouble” was the headline in Corriere dello Sport.

The scandal — the largest in Italian football history — involves allegations of match-fixing, illegal betting and manipulation of referee assignments. Juventus, who won a record 29th title last season, face relegation — possibly to the third division — and Milan could be demoted to Serie B. Lazio and Fiorentina have also been implicated but to a lesser degree.

Stefano Balducci, an Italian FA official, said that the report has been passed to magistrates, who will decide by the end of the week which teams, if any, should stand trial. The decision could come as soon as today, with any trials beginning next week.

According to the newspapers, Borrelli’s report suggested that the wrongdoing was not related to single matches but was “structured”. The report concluded that there was a “code of compliance and solidarity” among Italy’s elite clubs and “a structure of bribery”, Balducci said. He gave warning, however, that those were Borrelli’s opinions.

Yesterday, Didier Deschamps, the former France captain, said that he has been asked to coach Juventus if the club are relegated. Deschamps told La Gazzetta dello Sport that the club, for whom he played between 1994 and 1999, had contacted him to replace Fabio Capello, the coach, if they were demoted.

In the Barclays Premiership, Craig Bellamy, the Blackburn Rovers and Wales striker, will complete his £6 million move to Liverpool when he returns from his honeymoon this week. Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, will hold talks with the player but does not expect any complications, despite the 26-year-old’s chequered history.

Blackburn do not want to lose a player who scored 17 goals last season, yet they have no option but to accept Liverpool’s bid, which triggered a get-out clause relating to clubs in the Champions League in the contract he signed on his arrival at Ewood Park from Newcastle United last summer.

West Ham United are close to signing Steed Malbranque from Fulham for £4 million. The midfield player has rejected the offer of a new contract to replace the deal that ends in a year. West Ham also hope to complete the signing of Luke Young for £4 million after a bid of £3.5 million for the defender was rejected by Charlton Athletic.

Niall Quinn’s consortium could complete its proposed takeover of Sunderland in the next few days. Sunderland extended their exclusivity agreement with Quinn’s backers yesterday until the end of June to help to facilitate an agreement.

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