Unrest at the Italian national team: The players Sandro Tonali (23) and Nicolo Zaniolo (24) have been investigated. Both are now on their way back to their clubs.
It was announced on Wednesday that the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) had opened an investigation into Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli for possible sports betting.
One day later, it became public that the two national players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo are also under investigation. Here, too, it is said to be about illegal sports betting, as several media, including the “Gazzetta dello Sport”, report.
Both players were preparing for the European Championship qualifiers against Malta (Saturday, 20.45) and in England (Tuesday, 20.45) with the Italian national team until recently. But both have now had to leave and are on their way to their clubs.
Investigations have started
“The federation has decided to allow the players to return to their respective clubs, also in order to protect them,” reads the Italian Football Federation’s website, which also announced: “The Turin public prosecutor’s office passed on investigation documents to the players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo late this afternoon. Regardless of the nature of the acts, the Federation is convinced that, in this situation, the two players are not in the necessary condition to fulfil the obligations scheduled in the coming days.”
Tonali, who joined Newcastle United from AC Milan in the summer, has made 15 appearances for the Italians so far. The midfielder is now on his way back to England. Just like Zaniolo, who also moved to Aston Villa in the summer. The former Roma midfielder also has 15 caps to his name, scoring two goals.
