Nicolo Zaniolo (right) and Sandro Tonali each played 15 caps for Italy. Photo: Getty Images/Claudio Villa
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa striker Nicolo Zaniolo have been sent back to their clubs from Italy amid an investigation into illegal betting that could lead to a three-year ban.The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has confirmed the startling information. As events unfold ahead of the crucial Euro qualifiers against Malta and England, Luciano Spalletti's plans are left in chaos. FIFA said the pair's decision to return to England was “partly for their protection.”
“Both players were at the Coverciano Technical Centre, where the Italians train, when they were served with the investigation documents. According to Italian rules, players can be banned for three years if found guilty of violating betting rules.
“The Federation announces that this afternoon the Turin prosecutor's office conducted an investigation against the players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, who is currently training with the national team at the Federal Training Center Coverciano,” the International Tennis Federation (FIGC) said in a statement.
“Regardless of the nature of the events, given that two players are not in the required condition to participate in the matches scheduled for the next few days, the Federation has decided, also for their protection, to allow them to return to their respective locations. clubs.”
It is clear that Tonali and Zaniolo are not the only players under investigation for betting using illegal online platforms. The investigation will include the seizure of phones and examination of alleged bets that did not go through regular licensed bookmakers.
Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is already under investigation, authorities confirmed earlier this week. “I confirm the news of the investigation,” Turin chief prosecutor Enrica Gabetta said a day before the dramatic news that Tonali and Zaniolo were involved in the investigations. Fagioli's lawyers say their client is cooperating with “maximum transparency.”
Newcastle and Villa will be eagerly awaiting developments in the investigation and whether two of their key players become embroiled in the long-running case. Tonali, a £53m summer signing from AC Milan, made an instant impact for Eddie Howe's side when he scored on his debut against Aston Villa.
The 23-year-old started in Champions League games against his former club and a famous win over Paris Saint-Germain. Zaniolo, meanwhile, is on a season-long loan from Turkish club Galatasaray and has forced his way into Unai Emery's plans, starting five matches of the last seven games for Villa.
Any suspension would likely be filed worldwide, rather than in Italy. England defender Kieran Trippier was given a 10-week all-football ban and fined £70,000 after an English Football Association panel found he had broken betting rules even though he was playing for Atlético Madrid at the time.< /p>
Brentford striker Ivan Toney was recently involved in a high-profile Premier League betting case when he was banned from football for eight months after admitting breaking FA betting rules. He is suspended until January.
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