Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo Leave Italian National Team Amid Investigation
Italian international midfielders Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo have left the national team‘s training camp at the Coverciano Center on Thursday after being notified of an investigation by the Turin Prosecutor’s Office, according to the Italian Football Federation. The federation did not specify the cause of the investigation, but local press reports suggest it is related to alleged bets placed on illegal platforms.
«The Federation announces that late Thursday afternoon, the Turin Prosecutor’s Office notified acts of investigation to players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, who are currently gathered with the national team at the Coverciano Federal Technical Center,» explained the federation in an official statement on its website.
«Regardless of the nature of the facts, believing that in this situation the two players are not in the necessary conditions to face the upcoming commitments, the Federation has decided, also to protect them, to allow their return to their respective clubs,» it continued.
According to local press, the police visited the Italian national team’s training camp this afternoon to notify the investigation to both players. Both Tonali, who plays for Newcastle, and Zaniolo, who plays for Aston Villa, will be absent from the Italian national team for the Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Malta on Saturday and England next Tuesday.
On Wednesday, it was also revealed that the Turin Prosecutor’s Office is investigating Nicolo Fagiolo, midfielder for Juventus, in relation to bets placed on illegal platforms.
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The Italian Football Federation’s Sports Code, in Article 24, prohibits «subjects of the federation regime, directors, members, and club cardholders belonging to the professional sector from making or accepting bets, directly or indirectly, even from authorized persons, related to the results of official matches organized within the framework of the FIGC, FIFA, and UEFA.» Betting can result in a three-year ban and a minimum fine of €25,000.