The investigation into sports betting is progressing in Italy. After the selection sidelines of Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, heard by the police, the Italian media are focusing this Saturday on the case of Nicolo Fagioli. Trained at Juventus, the midfielder (22 years old) would have, according to several sources, spent more than a million euros on online platforms, betting on several football matches. The player, who has accumulated heavy debts in a few months, would be ready to negotiate a plea agreement with the courts, explains this Saturday morning the Gazzetta dello Sport. Fagioli would risk up to three years of suspension and a fine of 25,000 euros but his collaboration with investigators could reduce his sanction.
At the heart of the case, the telephone of the young Turin resident was examined and private discussions linked to illicit bets were found. Ten other players would be involved, reports the transalpine press. Heard next week by the courts, Sandro Tonali would have burst into tears in front of his loved ones following the revelation of his gambling addiction, according to Corriere della Sera. Nicolo Zaniolo assured investigators that he only played blackjack and poker, unaware that the platform used was illegal. In order to identify possible suspects, the tablets and smartphones of the two internationals will be examined.
Furthermore, Nicola Zalewski, Polish full-back for AS Roma, was cited at the start of the affair. But according to La Repubblica, his name does not appear in the files of the Italian Federation (FIGC) and investigators, due to lack of evidence. On the other hand, other players could be affected, in a story that sounds like a new earthquake in Italy. Names that come out in particular through the sulfurous Fabrizio Corona. The former “king of the paparazzi”, who has just spent ten years in prison for extortion of funds, notably to the detriment of ex-French player David Trézéguet, distils information on the addiction of certain players to sports betting. “Fagioli is not the only one,” he warned.
In pursuit of qualification for Euro 2024, the Nazionale would have done without this scandal. The selection coached by Luciano Spalletti receives Malta this Saturday evening (8:45 p.m.) before traveling to England on Tuesday.
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