ROME (AP) -- The Italian Cycling Federation will meet next Friday to decide the length of Ivan Basso's ban for involvement in the Spanish blood-doping investigation.

The Italian Olympic Committee's doping prosecutors recommended last month that the 2006 Giro d'Italia champion be banned for 21 months.

The 29-year-old Basso is accused of using or attempting to use a banned substance or method, and "possession of banned substances and methods."

He was suspended by the federation last month after acknowledging involvement in the probe, known as Operation Puerto. He confessed to "attempted doping," but said he never actually went through with it.

The International Cycling Union has said it will appeal to world sport's highest court if sanctions against the rider are not tough enough. UCI president Pat McQuaid wants Basso to be banned for two years.

On Tuesday, CONI prosecutors recommended that another Italian cyclist, Michele Scarponi, who has also admitted involvement in the scandal but denied doping, be suspended for 18 months.

Also, Italian cyclist Giuseppe Muraglia will face Italian Olympic Committee doping prosecutors on Wednesday after failing a doping test.

Muraglia, who rides for Acqua & Sapone, tested positive for a banned substance after winning Spain's Almeria Classic on March 14, CONI said Friday. Analysis of his "B" sample yielded the same result.

CONI prosecutors will question Muraglia before referring the case to the Italian cycling federation, which could ban the cyclist for up to two years.

Muraglia will also be questioned about the "Oil For Drugs" case, a 4-year-old doping probe which reportedly involves several Italian athletes and doctors, CONI said.

Giro d'Italia winner Danilo Di Luca and third-place finisher Eddy Mazzoleni reportedly are among those who will be summoned for questioning.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.