Luciano Moggi, the man at the centre of an investigation into alleged corruption in Italian football, has resigned as general manager of Juventus.

“From Monday I will have resigned. From this day the world of football is no longer my world,” Moggi said.

“Now I’ll think about defending myself from the malice said about me.”

Moggi has been linked to the publication of phone taps concerning talks with Italy football federation officials over refereeing appointments.

Moggi, along with Juve chief executive Antonio Giraudo, are two of 41 people under formal investigation.

Giraudo is being investigated for possible false accounting relating to transfer dealings.

Milan as well as Lazio feature in the probe of 19 league games from last season with suggestions that referees were threatened and blackmailed. There have also been allegations of illegal betting, false accounting and even a report of holding match officials against their will.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon may also miss the World Cup as a result of a betting scandal.