Crossword Genius

They may investigate why Italian team gets cut back (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

interpol

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'they may investigate why' is the definition.
The definition suggests an adverb but the answer is not.

'italian team gets cut back' is the wordplay.
'italian team' becomes 'inter' (Inter Milan FC).
'gets' says to put letters next to each other.
'cut' becomes 'lop' (lopping is a kind of cutting).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'lop' backwards is 'pol'.
'inter'+'pol'='INTERPOL'

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(Other definitions for interpol that I've seen before include "Organisation for international police co-ordination" , "Forces cooperating" , "Multinational crime fighters" , "International co-ordinating police body" , "International police force" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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