Juan Veron's career is on the brink of ruin after a federal prosecutor yesterday advised the Italian football federation (FIGC) to suspend the Lazio player for two years for illegally obtaining a European passport. Veron had earlier denied speculation he is to join Manchester United in a £22 million sterling deal this summer following a hearing in Milan into the passport scandal.

Veron is accused of using a false birth certificate which claims he has Italian ancestry, allowing him to obtain the passport. A decision regarding possible punishment could come next week from the FIGC, who will consider the recommendation to punish numerous other players in Italy who stand accused of similar offences.

Veron, also due to appear in an Italian court on October 11th on charges of gaining an Italian passport through false documentation, is maintaining his innocence. If found guilty, he not only faces a ban from Italian football, but a worldwide suspension by FIFA.

Veron was also quizzed about a move to Manchester United, who recently held talks with the player's representatives and Lazio, although it is understood they never reached a meaningful stage. He said: "The rumours of me being close (to a move) to Manchester United? None of them are true."

New Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren will be returning to the England senior coaching set-up. However Peter Taylor has stood down from his England role to concentrate on managing Leicester.