Report: Premier League duo questioned by police in illegal betting investigation
Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo reportedly involved in police enquiries as betting scandal rocks Italian football
Premier League players Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo have been questioned by Italian police in relation to alleged illegal gambling.
Tonali and Zaniolo, who joined Newcastle and Aston Villa this summer, respectively, were reportedly interviewed while on international duty with Italy.
Both players have since been granted leave from the squad.
A statement from the Italian Football Federation did not confirm what the line of questioning by police involved.
The statement read: “The Federation announces that this afternoon the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office has conducted investigations into players, Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, who are currently training with the national team at the Coverciano Federal Training Centre.
“Regardless of the nature of the events, considering that the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the matches scheduled for the next few days, the Federation has decided, also for their protection, to allow them to return to their respective clubs.”
The questioning of the duo comes after prosecutors confirmed Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli was under investigation for alleged betting activity.
On Wednesday, Italian newspaper La Stampa reported that Fagioli had been placed under investigation over betting on unlicensed platforms.
While the Italian reports did not confirm what the 22-year-old had been betting on, the Italian Football Federation code includes a potential three-year ban for players who bet on football games.
In a statement, Fagioli’s lawyers, Luca Ferrari and Armando Simbari said: “Our client is dealing with the matter responsibly, with a view to maximum transparency and collaboration with the ordinary and sporting judicial authorities.
“Nicolò is calm and fully focused on Juventus.”