#INSERT type:image caption:Lazio's president is the subject of a probe into alleged extortion. END#
The president of Serie A club Lazio, Claudio Lotito, has had his home and office searched as part of an investigation into an alleged extortion attempt.
According to Italy's ANSA news agency, the Naples public prosecutor's office has launched an inquiry into Lotito's business affairs after listening to recordings of telephone conversations between the Lazio president -- who also holds a key role in the Italian Football Association (FIGC) -- and the general manager of lower league club Ischia Calcio, Pino Iodice.
Some of Lotito's remarks to Iodice were leaked to the media earlier this year, when he said the promotion of Carpi and Frosinone to Serie A would be the league's death knell. Both clubs were ultimately promoted to the top flight.
However, there were more interesting things said in those phone calls which have caught the attention of the public prosecutors, who have received full collaboration from Iodice to help with their investigation.
"I don't see myself as the cause of anything, all I did was my duty to the justice system because football is part of my life and I did it for the good of the game of football," Iodice told ANSA.
In a first reaction, the president of the Lega Pro -- Italy's third division whose office was also reportedly being searched -- Mario Macalli told ANSA: "They're searching my office at the FIGC? I've never even had a locker at the FIGC. I don't know anything about it. I'm currently banned and I never set foot in institutional offices.
"They will just be performing their duties. You'll have to ask Lotito [about him being investigated] not me."
The allegations relate to the distribution of funds to football clubs. In addition to being president of Lazio and a director at the FIGC, Lotito is also co-owner of Salernitana, who earned promotion to Serie B this season.