Premier Silvio Berlusconi denied mounting speculation in the Italian media yesterday that he was behind the suspension of the talks between debt-laden AS Roma and Russian oil company Nafta-Moskva.

　　The Russian concern was reportedly prepared to invest 400 million euros (US$495 million) for the Rome club, which is said to be 250 million euros in debt. But the talks failed last week.

　　The collapse angered many fans in the capital, who had hoped the Russians might inject some fresh cash into the team. Some newspapers and radio reports speculated that Berlusconi, who owns current Serie A leader and Roma rival AC Milan, might have used his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin to block the deal.

　　Berlusconi described the reports as "laughable and even offensive speculation."

　　"I've never dreamed, as is obvious, of talking to the president of the Russian Federation about the negotiations for the sale of AS Roma, let alone to hinder them," Berlusconi said in a written statement released by his office. The premier added he hoped Roma would remain one of the leading teams of Italian soccer.

　　Berlusconi's remarks came a day after his deputy, Gianfranco Fini, had called the reports "colossal nonsense."

　　(The Associated Press)