According to Italian newspaper reports, Deputy Federal Prosecutor of the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) Nicola Capozzoli is leading an ongoing investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior, abuse, and bullying in the women's national team dating back to 2005. The investigation is reportedly "against unknown persons" and is based on allegations of misconduct committed against FCI-registered players.

Capozzoli, along with staff within the FCI, reportedly conducted interviews with previously and currently registered players. He told the Gazzetta dello Sport in September that no charges had yet been filed in the investigation.

However, there are reports that the head coach of the women's national team, Eduardo Salvoldi, who has been with the federation since 2005, is being questioned about the matter. He is a well-known coach in women's cycling, having led the Italian women's national team to more than 200 medals in the nearly 20 years he has coached in the federation.

The connection between Salvoldi and the case has been reported since it was made public in Italian newspapers in September. On Friday, Il Corriere della Sera published new allegations of psychological harassment made against Salvoldi by one of his former track athletes, Myra Andreotti.

Cycling News has reached out to Salvoldi for comment on Andreotti's allegations of mental harassment published in Il Corriere and his involvement in the FCI investigation. Salvordi, through his attorney, provided Cycling News with a statement denying all allegations. He stated that he intends to take legal action to protect his reputation.

"I don't understand where this desire for slander comes from. 'I still do not understand what private interests are behind this false conspiracy. I have nothing to hide. I will wait and believe in the outcome of the investigation. I take comfort in the great solidarity shown by all the people I have met as a national coach over the past few days.

"These charges offend me first of all as a human being and are unacceptable. In order to protect my honor and the honor of those who have passed on the values I believe in, I have asked my lawyers to take legal action. The author of such a statement will have to answer to the authorities."

FCI President Renato Di Rocco acknowledged to Cycling News that an investigation is underway, but said he would not comment further on the case or the national team coaching staff until the investigation is completed.

"There is an investigation underway and I will gladly await its conclusion before I begin to defend the reliability of the federal system and the technicians (coaches)," he told Cycling News.

Retired Olympian Silvio Martinello, who became the federation's general director of road and track in 2005, filed a complaint with the federation to report "inappropriate behavior of coaches," according to a September report in Tuttobiciweb. to 2007, citing what he called the "psychological conditioning" of the players.

In an article published in La Gazzetta dello Sport, Salvoldi refuted Martinello's claims of improper conduct by members of the coaching staff. Salvordi stated that he had never witnessed any cases of abuse during his time with the federation.

"I told the prosecutor that I had nothing, nothing, to do with abuse, violence, extortion, or sexual violence. I trust that the judiciary will look at the rightness of my actions," Salvordi said.

Capozzoli also reportedly questioned FCI President DiRocco. The federation was aware of reports of inappropriate behavior by coaches between 2005 and 2007, but when contacted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the federation said, "We immediately discussed the matter with the coach and received a warning. We are not making an ethical joke," he said.

Di Rocco said the FCI was taking the investigation seriously and that its findings would be shared with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI).

"If there is cancer, we will eradicate it. We share everything with CONI and we have never had any objections from CONI.

Il Corriere reported on Friday that national track and field athlete Myra Andreotti, 25, had accused Salvordi of mental harassment. In the published report, Andreotti described the verbal abuse that caused her to retire from the sport.

"Some of the offenses are unacceptable, like 'You're a fat bitch, lose weight,' or 'You're not worth anything.' He went out of his way to guide me in my decision to leave cycling," she told Il Corriere.

Andreotti also told Il Corriere that she had never experienced physical harassment from Salvoldi, but was told to "leave the bedroom door open" and that he "came in any time, whether I was dressed or not." She also told Il Corriere that she experienced inappropriate behavior by a male massage therapist.

Cycling News reached out to Salvoldi for comment on Andreotti's allegations in Il Corriere. Salvoldi denied all allegations of psychological harassment against him. He also stated that he has never witnessed any inappropriate behavior or abuse, nor has he been involved in any illegal acts committed against FCI-registered athletes.

Attorney Camilla Beltramini told "Il Corriere" that Andreotti was subpoenaed by the federal prosecutor's office because her name appeared in a newspaper article.

"She is not trying to get revenge and she did not report sexual violence against him [Salvoldi]. I would like to see the psychological aspect addressed as well."