ROME, May 13 (SW) - The investigation into widespread impropriety in Italian football hit two big names in the game on Saturday as number one goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was questioned over gambling issues while referee Massimo De Santis was withdrawn from the World Cup.

Buffon, who came forward of his own accord, is barred from betting on football - as are all players - under Italian regulations and the player's representation insist he has not done so since the regulations were implemented.

The man who will be the starting goalkeeper for Italy at the World Cup finals next month is the starter for Juventus, the club at the heart of the match-fixing scandal that has rocked Italy over the course of the past week.

Also, De Santis was told he would not participate in the World Cup as one of the 23 referees after being named as a part of the investigation into the fixing of top-flight league games in Italy.

De Santis, along with Roberto Rosetti, were slated to officiate games in Germany, but it is unsure who FIFA will use to replace him. De Santis' assistants, Alessandro Griselli and Marco Ivaldi, will also be removed after being part of the investigation.