Rome  - The absence of controversial talent Antonio Cassano from Italy's line-up is the talking point this week among football buffs as the world champions gear up for two qualifying games to the 2010 World Cup.

Coach Marcello Lippi resorted to his trademark tough-guy attitude saying that he doesn't have to give reasons for his choices - one of the benefits of having won Italy's fourth world title in 2006.

"I have my convictions and I don't owe explanations," he said. "And not because I'm arrogant, but because I want to work with who is present."

Rome  - Lamborghini has released images of the Murcielago LP 650-4 Roadster which it plans to build in a limited edition of 50 units.

As the name reveals, it will come with a 6.5-litre V12 engine with an output of 478 kW/650 hp and acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. The top speed is listed at 330 km/h. The designation "4" stands for permanent four-wheel drive.

Rome  - Serie A side Torino have r

Rome  - Serie A footballers Franco Brienza and Salvatore Aronica and the retired Vincenzo Montalbano are under investigation for match-rigging while playing for lower-division Ascoli in 2003, Il Giornale di Sicilia newspaper reported Tuesday.

Police in Palermo could charge them with sports fraud in connection with an investigation on alleged ties between the Mafia and the local football club, the report said.

Buehl, Germany  - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi needs to find alternative accomodation for April's NATO summit in Baden-Baden after the hotel of choice was deemed unfit, a hotel manager disclosed Tuesday.

Due to security concerns, Italy's NATO delegation will not be able to stay, as planned, in the Buehlerhoehe luxury hotel on the edge of town, hotel director Heinz Imhof told German Press Agency dpa.

Pescara, Italy - An Italian man suspected of helping a Swiss gigolo blackmail several rich women, including German BMW car heiress Susanne Klatten, appeared briefly in an Italian court Tuesday where he denied any wrongdoing.

A preliminary hearing involving the 69-year-old Ernano Barretta was postponed until April 9 on a technicality related to the choice of the presiding magistrate.

"What has been said about me are lies," Barretta told reporters as he left a courthouse in the central town of Pescara.