Lazio club and its coach Delio Rossi have been punished after being found guilty of trying to influence the performance of an opposing team, the Italian soccer federation said Friday.

Rossi, who was caught on phone taps asking club president Claudio Lotito to discuss tactics with Lecce directors in a match in April 2006, has been given a three-game ban, while the club fined 10,000 euros.

Media reports have said the issue involved whether future Lazio signing Cristian Ledesma should play for Lecce.

Rossi's position at the mid-table Serie A club is already under threat after a mixed season with talks planned with Lotito.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2008)