BASKETBALL:The US National Basketball Association said yesterday it was cooperating with an investigation into whether a referee was betting on games at which he officiated.

The New York Post, citing sources close to the FBI investigation, first reported in yesterday's editions that the FBI uncovered the connection between the unnamed referee and organised crime figures during a separate mob investigation.

"We have been asked by the FBI, with whom we are working closely, not to comment on this matter at this time," the NBA statement said.

The referee allegedly wagered on games during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 NBA seasons.

The FBI organised-crime squad in New York was handling the case, the newspaper said.

FBI spokesmen in New York were not immediately available for comment.