Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has denied holding an interest in buying Italian club Roma. Widespread reports in Italy had claimed that Hicks met Roma president Franco Sensi to discuss taking a majority shareholding at the Stadio Olimpico. The rumours led to the club's share price leaping eight per cent in value, but Hicks' spokesman Roy Winnick insists the speculation is wide of the mark. "There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in the rumour that Mr Hicks is even considering investing in Roma Football Club," said Winnick. Earlier in the day, Roma's controlling shareholder Italpetroli released a statement on Roma's official website saying the company had "been informed by a third party of the possible interest of an American businessman wanting to invest in AS Roma's capital". The statement added: "As of yet, Italpetroli has not received, directly or indirectly, any interest nor offer from such investor, with the object of acquiring the majority package of AS Roma." Hicks and fellow American businessman George Gillett completed a takeover of Liverpool back in February. Uefa regulations prohibit an individual from having a majority shareholding in more than one club competing in the same competition. Hicks' Southwest Sports Group also owns the Dallas Stars ice hockey team from the NHL and the Texas Rangers baseball franchise from MLB in the United States. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_2879143,00.html