Trezeguet tells court he nearly joined Barca in 2004

ROME (Reuters) - David Trezeguet nearly joined Barcelona in 2004, the Juventus striker told a court on Thursday.

The Frenchman made the revelation while being questioned as a witness in the trial of six men accused of fostering unfair competition through the use of threats or violence as part of the Gea World sports management agency.

Luciano Moggi, the former Juve general manager who was banned from soccer for five years in Italy's match-fixing affair, is one of the defendants along with his son Alessandro and Davide Lippi, the son of ex-Italy and Juve coach Marcello.

Trezeguet said he had decided to remain at Juventus in 2004 after then Juve boss Fabio Capello persuaded him to stay.

"I had thought of leaving (Juve) at the end of 2004 for Barcelona but then Fabio Capello changed my mind and he told me on the telephone that he could resolve the issues between me and the club," Trezeguet was quoted as saying by ANSA news service.

Trezeguet also told the court that he had had a meeting with agent Alessandro Moggi at Juve's offices in 2002.

A host of top Italian football personalities, including England coach Capello and Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, are expected to be called as witnesses during the trial.