Italian Clubs Are Target of Probe

Prosecutors in Rome have opened an investigation into the finances of Italian soccer clubs.

The investigation, reported on the front page of Wednesday’s Corriere della Sera, will look into clubs’ contracts with players, sponsors and pay-TV operators. It will involve teams in the top three divisions: Serie A, B and C.

While no charges have been filed, reports alluding to alleged fraud within soccer clubs have filled the local sports pages lately. Some clubs have been accused of lacking the required financial guarantees when acquiring new players.

U.S. Is Short-Handed

The United States under-23 national team will be without its three leading players, DaMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey and Landon Donovan, tonight when it plays Honduras for third place in the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament at Guadalajara.

The trio left Mexico to rejoin the full U.S. national team, which is preparing to play the Netherlands in a friendly Wednesday at Amsterdam. The U.S. failed to qualify for the Olympics after losing to Mexico, 4-0, Tuesday.

Tournament Recap

Real Madrid lost to host Seville, 1-0, on a goal by Antonio Lopez but reached Spain’s Copa del Rey final on aggregate, 2-1.

Zaragoza and second-division Alaves meet today to settle the other semifinal. The teams tied in the first leg, 1-1.

In the Italian Cup, Lazio routed European champion and Serie A leader AC Milan, 4-0, at Rome to reach the final.

Adding to a 2-1 first-leg lead, Lazio was powered by two goals from midfielder Stefano Fiore.

After a 2-2 first leg, Inter Milan plays host to Juventus in the other semifinal today.

In the African Cup of Nations, host Tunisia defeated two-time champion Nigeria, 5-3, in a penalty shootout after playing to a 1-1 tie after extra time in a semifinal at Rades, Tunisia.

Morocco defeated Mali, 4-0, at Sousse in the other semifinal.

United Falls Again

Manchester United (18-5-2) was upset at home by Middlesbrough, 3-2, leaving the defending champions five points behind Arsenal (18-0-7) in England’s Premier League.

There are 13 games remaining in the league.

Former Player Is Slain

Former Colombia international Albeiro Usuriaga, 37, was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in a nightclub district of Cali, police said.

Usuriaga helped Colombia qualify for the 1990 World Cup in Italy but was removed from the team before the start of the tournament for lack of discipline.