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Veron trial starts FIFA urges crackdown on false passports
ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) -- The world governing body of soccer on Tuesday urged "firm action" to crack down on players who illegally obtain passports from European Union countries in order to play in top continental leagues. General secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen of FIFA, saying the organization was alarmed by well publicized cases in France and Italy, has sent a letter to national associations asking them for "meticulous verification of the relevant documents." Zen-Ruffinen said players from non-EU countries have sought EU passports, which allow them to play as EU residents and avoid the restrictions on players from outside the 15-nation body. "In most cases, it is claimed that due to European ancestors these players are able to access privileged naturalization procedures. However, many cases have shown that the EU passport has been falsified and/or that in certain cases no European ancestor ever existed." "Needless to say that such incidents endanger the reputation of the game," Zen-Ruffinen added. "It is stressed that the falsification of documents in general and passports in particular is an act ... which primarily constitutes a criminal offense." FIFA said it has asked national associations to report on the situation in their countries. It said the matter would be discussed at a Players' Status Committee meeting Feb. 14 in Zurich. Veron's passport-abuse hearing beginsROME -- A hearing on charges that Lazio's Argentine star Juan Sebastian Veron illegally obtained Italian citizenship adjourned Tuesday after several hours of testimony. A new hearing was set for next week. Judge Claudio Tortora ordered Spanish translations of documents to enable the hearing to continue on Feb. 13. Veron, who was not present in court, was represented by his lawyers, Lazio spokeswoman Laura Zaccheo said. Tortora will decide whether to grant prosecution requests for indictments against Veron and several Lazio officials, including club president Sergio Cragnotti. Prosecutors allege the midfielder falsely claimed his grandfather was Italian in order to obtain an Italian passport. The Italian passport enabled Lazio to get around soccer federation restricting the number of non-EU players. Seven Italian Serie A major league teams and at least 24 players are the subject of a widening investigation into passport abuse. Also on Tuesday, prosecutors in northern Italy questioned Internazionale star Alvaro Recoba about his Italian passport. Inter has said Recoba will fly back to his native Uruguay until his status has been clarified. In France several clubs were docked points earlier this year when a probe revealed they were fielding players with false papers.
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