Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo leave Italy’s training camp after being questioned by police investigating betting breaches before the stars joined Newcastle and Aston Villa
- Tonali and Zaniolo were reportedly questioned at Italy’s national training base
- Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was confirmed to be under an investigation
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Newcastle star Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo have left Italy’s training camp after being questioned by police investigating breaches of betting rules.
The Italian news agency ANSA reported that police had visited Italy’s national team training base Coverciano on Thursday to speak with the players.
RAI Sport said the Italian internationals had been accompanied by team delegate and former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to speak to investigators.
The Italian FA confirmed both players have been permitted to leave the training camp.
‘The Federation announces that, in the late afternoon of today, the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office notified investigation documents to the players Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo, currently in training with the national team at the Federal Technical Center in Coverciano,’ an Italian FA statement read.
Newcastle star Sandro Tonali was reportedly questioned by police at Italy’s training camp
Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo has also been released from Italy’s national training camp
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‘Regardless of the nature of the acts, believing that in this situation the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the commitments scheduled in the next few days, the Federation has decided, also to protect them, to allow them to return to their respective clubs.’
Italian prosecutors had confirmed on Wednesday that Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is being investigated for alleged illegal betting activities.
Fagioli’s lawyers Luca Ferrari and Armando Simbari confirmed the investigation in a statement.
‘Our client is dealing with the matter responsibly, with a view to maximum transparency and collaboration with the ordinary and sporting judicial authorities,’ Fagioli’s lawyers.
‘Nicolo is calm and fully focused on Juventus and the Serie A.’
Italian authorities ban players from betting on football matches but not from other types of gambling.
A player found to have bet on matches could face a ban of at least three years and fine under Italian Football Federation rules.
The investigation was first reported by Fabrizio Corona, who was formerly known as Italy’s ‘king of the paparazzi’.
Corona alleged on his website Dillinger News that more players were involved in the investigation, later naming both Tonali and Zaniolo.
‘Tonali and Zaniolo are also betting,’ Corona wrote.
‘An informant revealed to me that Zaniolo bet on Roma’s match in the Italian Cup even when he was on the bench.
‘The names were given to me by reliable sources which I will reveal as soon as possible.’
Prosecutors confirmed this week that Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is under investigation
Corona was interviewed by investigators in Milan on Thursday as a witness in the case, telling reporters ‘I can’t say anything, I respect the law’.
Tonali moved to Newcastle in the summer for £52million this summer from AC Milan, having played for his boyhood club from 2020.
The transfer window also saw Zaniolo move to the Premier League, with the 24-year-old joining Aston Villa on loan from Turkish side Galatasaray.
Zaniolo had joined Galatasaray in February from Roma, after playing for the Italian side from 2018 to 2023.
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