Italian Serie A football club Juventus has contacted the country’s football association over reports that one of its players, Nicolò Fagioli, is embroiled in a dispute over betting.
Reports have emerged that several Italian players, including Fagioli, have allegedly placed bets through an unauthorised gambling website.
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United in the English Premier League and Nicolò Zaniolo, on loan at Premier League team Aston Villa from Turkish Süper Lig club Galatasaray, were the two players initially named in the case. Allegations of Fagioli’s involvement came to light soon after.
Shortly after reports emerged, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said two players had been sent home from national team duty. Tonali and Zaniolo are now back training with their respective clubs.
The FIGC did not say why the pair had been sent home. However, it did state that it was in relation to an investigation by the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office. Media reports say this investigation is over the alleged unauthorised betting.
“Regardless of the nature of the acts, believing that in this situation the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the commitments scheduled in the next few days, the Federation has decided, also to protect them, to allow them to return to their respective clubs,” the FIGC said last week.
Juventus responds to Fagioli reports
Juventus has now shed further light on the case, issuing a statement that suggests Fagioli is being investigated over betting.
“Regarding what has been reported by several media outlets, Juventus specifies that as soon as it received news of the possible involvement of player Nicolò Fagioli in the matter of betting, it immediately and promptly contacted the FIGC Federal Prosecutor’s Office,” Juventus said.
Neither Newcastle nor Aston Villa have responded to the reports. iGB has contacted the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office for comment.
Italy beat Malta 4-0 in a qualifying match for Euro 2024 over the weekend. The Azzuri face England tomorrow in another qualifier for next year’s tournament.
