Rome - Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro was on Monday cleared by the nation's Olympic Committee (CONI) over a doping case.

Cannavaro tested positive for cortisone on August 29, but said the substance was used to treat a bee sting.

His club Juventus Turin informed the CONI about the treatment before the doping test but a CONI reply was reportedly left unopened at the Turin club.

Cortisone can be used for therapeutical reasons if the relevant anti-doping authorities grant its use beforehand.

Cannavaro, who joined the Italy team for a final 2010 World Cup qualifier against Cyprus, was relieved that the case was over but also expressed his fury about the media coverage.

"You get stung by a bee and then find yourself in the paper treated like a doper," the ANSA news agency quoted him as saying. (dpa)