Italian football officials have opened an enquiry into allegations that an attempt was made to fix the result of a first division match on Sunday in favour of the struggling Tuscan club, Empoli.

The referee assigned to the game against Sampdoria of Genoa was replaced by a substitute after reporting he'd been offered a bribe.

Sampdoria won by three goals to nil.

Football officials have questioned Empoli's president, Fabrizio Corsi, and a business asociate, Lorenzo Repetto, who is mayor of Castelletto d'Orba in northern Italy.

Mr Repetto said he had merely asked the referee to help with a charity match.

Italian football has recently been hit by allegations of drugs-taking and threats of a players' strike over tighter controls.