Vizzavi claims it is "business as usual" despite waking up to press reports which suggest that funding for the Internet operation could be pulled.

Today's FT reports that Jean-Marie Messier, chief exec of Vivendi Universal, is considering whether to cut his losses and pull the plug on the multi-platform Internet portal.

Mr Messier is also said to be looking to cull other cash-guzzling Internet operations including portals Scoot and iFrance, according to the pink paper.

The newspaper claims the idea was discussed at a board meeting last week.

A spokesman for Vizzavi, which is owned jointly by Vivendi and Vodafone, said today's report was "news to me" before adding that this was "pure speculation".

In January, the Pop Idol-sponsoring outfit axed 100 jobs and confirmed that Evan Newmark, the CEO of Vizzavi would also step down. ®

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