PARIS (AFP) - French prosecutors launched a preliminary investigation Wednesday into allegations that entities linked to Michelin, Adidas and Elf laundered the profits of tax evasion in Liechtenstein.

The probe follows a decision in December by the finance ministry to make a complaint against three of France's biggest firms, the tyre maker, sportswear brand and oil company, which is today part of the energy giant Total.

According to the Paris state prosecutor's office, officials believe the firms had links to foundations and trusts that held accounts in Liechtenstein's LGT bank, which were protected by the Alpine principality's secrecy laws.

Michelin is accused of links to the Copa foundation, Elf Trading SA belonged to Elf-Aquitaine which became part of Total in 2000 and six foundations have been linked to "members of Adidas' founding family."

A trading and shipping division of Elf, Elf Trading changed its name in 2003 to Totsa. Now based in Geneva, it is part of the Total group.

"It is a Total company. The group will accept its responsibility," said a spokesman for the energy giant.

But Michelin has so far denied any links to the Copa foundation.

An official close to the probe admitted that it would be "premature, perhaps risky" to say that the parent companies were responsible for the suspected trusts and foundations.

"The enquiry will seek to establish what happened, when it happened and if what happened can be blamed on any individuals or legal entities," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Possible charges could then include the laundering of money made by tax evasion or misuse of company funds, he said.

Adidas chief Herbert Hainer rejected any allegations of fraud as "absurd".

Adidas does not have accounts in Liechtenstein, a spokesman quoted Hainer as saying.

The investigation was confirmed on the eve of a Group of 20 summit in London where leaders are set to announce an international blacklist of tax havens, as part of a push for greater transparency in world finance.

French authorities opened an investigation after a major German tax evasion scandal last year uncovered allegedly undeclared accounts held by foreign nationals within Liechtenstein's secretive banking sector.

Liechtenstein has complained that the investigation was based on a stolen client list, but last week promised to cooperate more closely with foreign governments investigating tax evasion.

Corruption watchdog Transparency International estimates that corporate tax evasion via tax havens costs the French state some 10 billion euros per year.