13 Present and Former Serie A Players Under Investigation For Illegal Betting
Calum Ritchie
13 – 16 minutes
4
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sandro tonali
Reports emerging from Italy have claimed that 13 footballers are under investigation for illegal online betting. Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali has been named after previously being involved in a similar scandal.
Tonali previously served a 10-month suspension during the 2023/24 season after being found guilty of gambling violations and is once again under investigation alongside Nicolo Fagioli, who was also handed a ban.
The alleged wrongdoing from the Italian pair came in the timeframe between December 2021 and October 2023, as they were accused of illegal betting, including on football matches. There is no evidence that the players currently under investigation have been involved in gambling on football.
Angel Di Maria and Sandro Tonali Named in New Investigation
Juventus, AC Milan and Roma stars are also involved
All the names involved in the new investigation came from the interviews with Tonali and Fagioli. Aside from the previously mentioned pair, the other names given are Alessandro Florenzi (AC Milan), Nicolo Zaniolo (Fiorentina), Mattia Perin and Weston McKennie (Juventus), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Raoul Bellanova (Atalanta), Matteo Cancellieri (Parma), Cristian Buonaiuto (Padova), and Samuele Ricci (Torino).
Aside from those still in Italian football, Angel Di Maria and Junior Firpo’s names have also been listed. The former played for Juventus in the 2022/23 season and now plies his trade for Benfica in Portugal. Firpo, on the other hand, is on the books at Leeds United.
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The accusations brought against these footballers – and tennis player Matteo Gigante – are said to involve using illegal online platforms for betting. However, the offences aren’t football-related. In terms of potential punishment for the 13 football stars, they could be handed a €250 fine if found guilty on a criminal front.
However, Italian football authorities could open a separate investigation. Suspension from the sport is seen as highly unlikely as the matters weren’t surrounding football, as Tonali and Fagioli’s previously alleged offences were.
