Taschler has been accused of arranging a meeting between his son Daniel, a member of the Italian biathlon team, and disgraced doctor Michele Ferrari in order to acquire performance enhancing drugs.

The 53-year-old former biathlete temporarily stepped down from the IBU last week claiming his "shock" at the media reports regarding the incident which, according to him, are "simply not true".

Since his withdrawal, the IBU has released a statement revealing they have contacted the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) which also functions as the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO) in its country.

"It is the IBU's understanding that, from a legal point of view, CONI is responsible for the investigation related to Gottlieb Taschler as well his son Daniel Taschler," the statement read.

"The latter is member of the Italian biathlon team.

"At the same time, the IBU contacted the Padua Attorney General and requested to share any available, relevant information.

"The report of the Padua Attorney General was subject of the respective media reports, though the document is not in the public domain, yet.

"In addition, the IBU is also in contact with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)."

Gottlieb Taschler is accused of setting up a meeting between his son Daniel and banned doctor Michele Ferrari (right) in order to acquire performance enhancing drugs
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Reports have surfaced over the past fortnight claiming that Taschler had arranged meetings between his son and banned doctor Ferrari in an apparent attempt to obtain the banned blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO).

Italian website the Gazzetta.it quoted transcripts of phone calls dating from 2010 between Daniel and Ferrari, the Italian physician banned for life in 2012 for numerous breaches of anti-doping rules and one of the four individuals who supplied seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong with performance enhancing-drugs during his career.

It also claimed to have a wiretap showing Taschler calling the doctor to arrange a meeting for his son.

Taschler is a former Olympic biathlete and won bronze at Calgary 1988 with the Italian relay team.

He has been on the IBU Executive Board as a vice-president since 2006.

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