Italian reports state that Nicolo Zaniolo, a Villa loan signee, and Sandro Tonali, a Newcastle United midfielder, are being investigated for engaging in illicit betting.
Nicolo Fagioli, an international for Italy, has been suspended for seven months for violating betting regulations.
The action follows the return of fellow countrymen Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United and Nicolo Zaniolo, who is on loan at Aston Villa, to their clubs following their revelation that the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office was looking into them while they were at an Italy training camp.
The Italian Football Federation (Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio) has suspended five months of Juventus midfielder Fagioli’s one-year sentence, and the player has also been fined 12,500 euros (£10,848). Additionally, he consented to a minimum six-month anti-gambling treatment program.
READ MORE: After arriving back at Aston Villa, Zaniolo receives a note expressing “bitterness”
READ MORE: Following a police raid on an Italian training camp, Zaniolo left in “distraught”
The 22-year-old broke the regulation “that prohibits betting on football events organized by FIGC, UEFA, and FIFA,” according to a statement from the governing body.
Fagioli’s only cap came from a friendly match against Albania in November of last year; he was left off of the Italy team for their victories against Malta on Saturday and England on Tuesday at Wembley.
According to reports from Italy, Zaniolo and Tonali are the subject of an inquiry over illicit betting. When the FIGC announced that the players had left the training camp, it did not explain what it was about; however, Italian news agency Ansa has subsequently verified that it is an investigation into illicit betting.
Prior to the match yesterday night, Italy manager Luciano Spalletti said that Zaniolo was “absolutely distraught” over leaving the national squad.
“It was traumatic for the team because we had the authorities almost in the dressing room, so everyone was surprised and upset,” Spalletti said, describing the dramatic way the two were removed from the training camp. The athletes themselves were in complete distress.
Zaniolo, who joined Galatasaray from Roma earlier this year, is loaned to Villa for the duration of the current season. The 24-year-old offensive midfielder has played for Unai Emery’s team six times so far.
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