Eni's Gazprom alliance could be anti-competitive - Italy's antitrust head- UPDAT.

(From AFX Europe (Focus))

(updating with comment on Gazprom, Eni's Snam RG stake)

MILAN (AFX) - Eni SpA's planned alliance with Gazprom could be anti-competitive in the Italian market, said Antonio Catricala, president of Italy's antitrust authority.

Eni has said it plans to finalise a wide-ranging agreement with Gazprom by Oct 15, while an earlier alliance last year between the two companies was blocked by the authority.

"It seems that Gazprom is trying to enter directly into the Italian market via the distribution and sale of gas, using space left free by Eni," he said.

In line with analysts' expectations, Catricala said he sees …