Telecom Italia (TIM) is being asked by directors to hold an extraordinary meeting of its board of directors to appoint a Vivendi-backed director to fill a vacancy on the board, two sources close to the matter told Reuters.

Vivendi is in dispute with TIM's management over its plans to reorganize Italy's largest telecoms operator by selling off its fixed-line network.

TIM directors sent a letter on Friday asking the group to call a meeting early next week to appoint Luciano Carta as director, the sources said.

Luciano Carta, former chairman of the Leonardo defense group, is backed by Vivendi.

TIM and Vivendi declined to comment.

According to one of the sources, Telecom Italia's nomination committee will begin examining Luciano Carta's candidacy on Monday, adding that no board meeting has yet been called.

(Reported by Elvira Pollina)