Gianluigi Buffon 'gambled illegally'

Italy captain and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon allegedly engaged in illegal gambling to the tune of 1.5 million euros, according to Turin tax police records released Thursday. But the goalie, one of the most popular figures in Italian sport, is not under investigation for the wagers, which were made last year, judicial sources told ANSA. Buffon is the latest big name to be linked to Italy's latest betting and match-fixing scandal, in which Juve coach Antonio Conte is under investigation, Lazio captain Stefano Mauri has been arrested, and Zenit Saint Petersburg defender Domenico Criscito was dropped from Italy's Euro 2012 squad after being named in the probe. The Juve keeper has faced gambling allegations in the past but has always been cleared. Buffon made headlines Wednesday by criticising the way the probe was being handled and how information was being leaked to the press. A major match-fixing scandal dubbed Calciopoli hit Italian soccer on the eve of the 2006 World Cup, which Italy won.