(adds background on share price probe)
ROME, June 3 - Billionaire financier George Soros
is no longer interested in buying Italian soccer club AS Roma, a
statement sent by his spokesman to Italy's stock market
regulator on Tuesday said.
"Contrary to what has been reported in the international
press, George Soros has no longer a direct or indirect interest
in the acquisition of AS Roma," the statement said.
It added that neither Soros nor any of his companies would
take part in any operation to finance the club.
The statement had been requested by the stock market
watchdog after AS Roma's shares fluctuated for weeks on reports
that its main shareholder, Italpetroli, might sell its stake and
that Soros' Inner Circle Sports investment firm was interested.
Italpetroli, which is controlled by the Sensi family,
confirmed on April 21 it had held exploratory talks with Soros'
firm but has repeatedly denied receiving any expressions of
interest for the Italian Cup winners.
Rome prosecutors have opened a probe into the share price's
sharp swings. On Friday, AS Roma's stock fell more than 8
percent after reports said Soros had walked away, frustrated by
a lack of progress.
(Reporting by Valentina Za; Editing by John Mehaffey and
Padraic Halpin)