ROME, May 22 (SW) - As the investigations regarding various sections of italian football continue, national boss Marcello Lippi has announced he will not quit the Italian job before the World Cup.

Some members of the Italian media had wanted Lippi to stand down, after it had been alleged that he was present during some of the intercepted telephone calls that are being looked at during the GEA World investigation. However the coach was today backed by the Italian Football Federation commissioner, Guido Rossi, when he stated, “I have never had any doubts with regard to Lippi’s position”.

The national boss has been aware of the newspaper's opinion that he should resign and gave a statement on the situation, saying,“The media asked me to resign, but there are only two motives which push someone to take such a step”

He added, “The first is if something is uncovered and you need to run away. The second when you have a clear conscience, but you are left disappointed.

Lippi also wanted to make that clear that any probes into the running of the Italian game are not distracting his squad and everyone is focused on Germany, “The squad is serene and everyone is calm,” he said. “We must transform what is happening to us presently into something good, a positive force.