Sandro Tonali Gambling Scandal 2023: It is alleged that Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo used unlawful internet betting platforms. In Italy, betting is not illegal as long as punters utilize bookmakers licensed by the country’s customs and monopolies agency.
If, on the other hand, a bet is placed with an unregistered bookmaker, it is a crime punishable by a three-month prison sentence or a fine ranging from €51,000 to €516,000 (£44,100 to £447,000/$53,500 to $542,000). Short term pleasures are more important than a career I guess. Ballon D’ Or ain’t for everyone.
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Who all are involved as per this investigation ?
Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli and Premier League players Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo have been questioned as part of an investigation by prosecutors in Turin into betting online via unauthorized websites. More than a dozen Serie A players could be implicated in the scandal, including a teammate of Nicolò Fagioli at Juventus.
Sandro Tonali gambling addiction?
Reports are coming out suggesting that the player suffers with a gambling addiction problem and as part of fixing his problem, agreed to visit a therapist.
A bit too late for mending himself isn’t it ?
Timeline of Events related to the Sandro Tonali & Nicolò Zaniolo Gambling Scandal
October 12, 2023: Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo were notified by police of their involvement in a betting investigation. They were at Italy’s training camp preparing for upcoming European Championship qualifying matches.
Cameras from RAI, Italy’s public broadcaster, captured both players being escorted to the police station by Gianluigi Buffon, the national team’s new head of delegation, along with Emiliano Cozzi and Mauro Vladovich, the team’s and the Italian Football Federation’s (FIGC) general secretaries, respectively. Officers seized their electronic gadgets and informed them that they were being investigated by public prosecutors in Turin.
October 13, 2023: News broke out about the scandal. Tonali and Zaniolo underwent a police investigation at Italy’s Coverciano training base over alleged involvement with illegal digital betting platforms.
Details of the events
Tonali and Zaniolo were questioned as part of an investigation by prosecutors in Turin into betting online via unauthorized websites.
The FIGC officially confirmed that both players have been granted leave from international duty as Italy prepares for upcoming matches pertaining to the Euro 2024 qualifiers with the following statement:
“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. 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.”
A statement from FIGC mentioned that the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office has conducted investigations into players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, who were training with the national team at the Coverciano federal training center.
In response to the situation, the FIGC decided to allow both players to return to their respective clubs, stating that they are not in the necessary condition to face the matches scheduled for the next few days.
According to Article 24 of the FIGC’s Sporting Justice Code, placing or taking bets on events organized by the FIGC, FIFA, and UEFA could lead to a three-year ban and a fine of at least €25,000. This is the penalty Tonali could face if proven guilty.
Additional Information
- More than a dozen Serie A players could be implicated in the scandal, including a teammate of Nicolò Fagioli at Juventus as covered in La Repubblica an Italian news paper
- All three players (Tonali, Zaniolo, Fagioli) have had their phones and tablets confiscated as part of the investigation.
- Zaniolo, who is on loan at Aston Villa from Galatasaray, reportedly said he played blackjack on a website that he was unaware was illegal but that he has never bet on soccer matches.
- Tonali went to Milan to consult with his legal team after the news broke.
- Nicolò Fagioli has admitted the offenses and turned over his mobile phone as evidence. His lawyer claimed that Fagioli turned himself into authorities over the alleged illegal betting activities.
- Turin Chief Prosecutor Enrica Gabetta confirmed that separate proceedings have been launched by the FIGC. The type of gambling activity Fagioli has been accused of has not yet been made public.
Legal Implications
The scandal could have far-reaching implications for the players involved, their clubs, and Italian football at large. It also brings into focus the issue of illegal betting within the sport, which has been a recurring problem in Italian soccer history.
Conclusion
Showboating over self growth is the new norm of this era. Italian football generated players like Totti, Pirlo, Buffon. These are the types of players you love to have in your FIFA career mode. Call me old school or stuck in the past is this the new standards we are breeding.
This is not right provided there comes jail time, the clubs would try to distance themselves from all this happening. No one wants problems we saw what happened to Mason Greenwood sometime back. And we had ample examples up to date of players losing their careers over bad choices. Feels like everyone preparing for Saudi League from the start of their careers I guess.
So what’s next ? Well lets wait and view how the investigation goes what other names are appended to this list. Its just outright sad.