Nicolò Fagioli, the 22-year old midfielder for Juventus, has become the subject of an investigation by prosecutors in Turin over allegedly betting on illegal online platforms.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) was notified “at the end of August” according to Italian outlet TuttoSport and Fagioli has already been questioned by the FIGC Federal Prosecutor’s office with Juventus also being informed in the process.
If Fagioli is found guilty of the allegations made against him, he could potentially face up to a three-year ban from football.
The Italian midfielder has not been called up for the national team’s upcoming EURO 2024 qualifying matches against Malta and England.
Prosecutors, according to TuttoSport, analysed and cross-referenced data from transactions carried out to verify real names, registered names and nicknames, with Fagioli being flagged during this procedure.
Due to his status as a notable football player Fagioli faces a much harsher punishment as he is a professional sports player and a member of a federation.
The news comes after Italian prosecutor Manuela Pedrotta has begun a crackdown on illegal online gambling platforms stressing the need for operators to submit for a licence.
Last August, Italy released a comprehensive overhaul of its gambling laws, authorising the approval of the ‘Tax Delegation Law’.
The legislation recognises Italian gambling as a sector requiring a “reorganisation of tax duties and the introduction of new player protection measures that aim to create a more transparent and accountable industry”.
The allegations against Fagioli also adds to the mounting problems Juventus are facing off the pitch, not because he is one of the club’s most promising young players, but as Paul Pogba could face a four-year ban after failing a doping test.
The Bianconeri are also looking to raise as much as €200m after its latest financial report revealed more losses in a period of extreme difficulty for Italy’s most successful team.
