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Newcastle player Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo have left Italy’s training camp after being questioned by authorities investigating betting rule violations.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, police visited Italy’s national team training center Coverciano on Thursday to speak with the players.
According to RAI Sport, the Italian internationals were accompanied to the investigation by team delegate and former goalie Gianluigi Buffon.
Both players were able to leave the training camp, the Italian FA declared.
‘The Federation announces that the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office notified investigation documents to the players Sandro Tonali and Nicol Zaniolo, who are currently training with the national team at the Federal Technical Center in Coverciano,’ according to an Italian FA statement.
‘Regardless of the nature of the acts, the Federation has decided, also to protect them, to allow the two players to return to their respective clubs, considering that in this circumstances the two players are not in the proper condition to meet the commitments set in the coming days.’
Italian prosecutors announced on Wednesday that Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is under investigation for possible unlawful gambling activity.
In a statement, Fagioli’s lawyers, Luca Ferrari and Armando Simbari, confirmed the probe.
‘Our client is handling the case responsibly, with the goal of maximum transparency and coordination with the ordinary and sporting judicial authorities,’ according to Fagioli’s lawyers.
‘Nicolo is composed and completely focused on Juventus and Serie A.’
Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo were reportedly questioned at Italy’s national training base
The Italian government prohibits players from betting on football events but not on other forms of gambling.
A player who is discovered to have bet on matches may face a three-year ban. They will also get punishment under Italian Football Federation rules.
Fabrizio Corona, dubbed as Italy’s “King of the Paparazzi,” was the first to report about the probe.
Corona claimed on his website Dillinger News that other players had participated in the investigation, eventually naming Tonali and Zaniolo.
‘Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo are betting as well,’ Corona added.
‘An source told me that Zaniolo gambled on Roma’s Italian Cup match even though he was on the bench.
“I will reveal the identities as soon as I can. The identities were provided to me by reliable sources.”
Authorities in Milan on Thursday questioned Corona as a witness in the investigation. He stated to reporters, “I can’t say anything, I respect the law.”
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan for £52 million this summer, having played for his boyhood club since 2020.
Zaniolo also moved to the Premier League during the summer season, joining Aston Villa on loan from Turkish club Galatasaray.
Zaniolo signed Galatasaray from Roma in February, after played with the Italian club from 2018 to 2023.
