Italian sports betting scandal

Italy’s national football head coach, Luciano Spaletti, has revealed that his players have had a “traumatic” week due to the betting scandal that is currently plaguing some of the national team’s biggest stars. News broke earlier this week that Juventus youngster Nicolò Fagioli had been implemented in the scandal with the player’s agency revealing he has struggled with a gambling addiction before even becoming involved with the Italian.  Since then, two more Italian players have also been implicated, in these cases reaching as far as the English Premier League with Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa’s Nicolò Zaniolo being named. In lieu of Fagioli’s case, the two premier league additions to the scandal followed a raid on Italy’s training camp last Thursday, leaving Tonali and Zaniolo under Police investigation. Due to this, these players will also be in inelligable for Italy’s upcoming Euro 2024 qualifier against England.

Sandro Tonali 

Newcastle United’s £60 million summer signing from AC Milan, has claimed he is seeking help from a therapist to deal with a gambling addiction similar to that of  Nicolò Fagioli.

Much like Fagioli, Tonali has communicated his willingness to collaborate with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Turin prosecutors in the investigation. This entails revealing details about the betting scandal and the events he gambled on. 

The betting scandal

Both Italian national team players are suspected of gambling on association football matches which is an outright breach of Article 24 of the Code of Sporting Justice. This could typically result in a minimum ban of three years should the investigation prove them guilty.  Fagioli’s case is expected to be heard by FIGC Prosecutor Giuseppe Chine for the final time this week with a 10 to 18 month suspension looking likely for the 22-year-old.  The punishment’s leniency will be of such a nature due to Fagioli’s instant collaboration with the authorities. 

Heavier punishments on the cards

The sanctions for Tonali along with any additionally implicated players could be much higher as it is believed the FIGC will attempt to aggressively send a message against any potential future offenders.  It is still yet to be discovered if Tonali placed bets on Milan games while still at the club.  The investigation will continue to scrutinise mobile phones and tablets belonging to the Newcastle United number 8. Similar investigations will aslo be conducted into Aston Villa loanee Zaniolo.  It is speculated that if Tonali is also found guilty then he could face an 18 month ban if not more.  The investigation’s processes will take a number of months to complete so an anxious wait seems in play for the former Brescia man and the barcodes alike. 

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