Mamma mia... another scandal shakes Italian football
If you are a follower of Calcio you have surely bet on countless opportunities in the top Asian and European bookmakers. This activity, within certain limits, is legal for those of us who are not footballers. However, when you are a player and:
- you decide to bet not only on the sport that you practice
- you do it on matches that you are going to play yourself and
- you do it in illegal establishments
… well… that is another story.
Italian football is facing a major crisis as, several players are being investigated for allegedly betting online via unauthorized websites. The scandal has already affected the national team as, two of its players left the camp before the Euro 2024 qualifiers, after being questioned by police. While more names are expected to be revealed in the coming days, the bits and pieces of information that have reached the newspapers, have already sparked a major upset in the foundation of the entire betting industry… again.
How it started
The scandal was first exposed by Fabrizio Corona, a controversial Italian influencer and former paparazzo. He claimed on his website that he had evidence on Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli’s addiction to gambling. Corona said that he had screenshots of said player’s bets on football matches, including some involving Juventus, and that he had contacted the player, to offer him help. He also stated that he had information about other players involvement to the same scheme, but he did not reveal their names at that time.
Fagioli admitted his addiction and left the Italy camp on October 12, 2023, after being questioned by the prosecutors in Turin. He also asked for help from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Juventus. The punishment for his actions will be a total of 12 months, with 7 of those served in prohibition from playing and 5 to be served by other means. He will also have to pay a fine of €12,000. Because of his cooperation and plea bargain, he avoided the three year suspension that would be the original sanction for the infringement.
And it did not stop there
On October 13, 2023, Corona disclosed the names of three more players implicated in the scandal: Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, Aston Villa striker Nicolo Zaniolo, and Roma defender Nicola Zalewski. Tonali and Zaniolo also left the Italian camp after their interrogation. The first one reportedly confessed his addiction and his bets on football matches, while the second denied betting on football, however, he admitted that he played poker and blackjack. Zalewski is not believed to be under investigation, however, his lawyers announced that they would sue Corona for defamation.
According to Italian media reports, at least 10 more players are implicated in the case and Corona will reveal more names later this week. Some rumors also suggest that Leonardo Bonucci, the captain of both Juventus and Italy, knew about his teammates’ addictions and could be banned for failure to report it to the authorities.
The official response
The official response from the authorities has been swift and firm. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has opened an investigation into the case and has cooperated with prosecutors in Turin. The FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said that he was “shocked and saddened” by the news and urged the players to “respect the rules and the values of our sport”. He also stated that he would support any player who asked for help, and would work to prevent gambling addiction among footballers.
The Serie A clubs involved have also reacted to the scandal. Juventus have suspended Fagioli, pending further investigation, and have offered psychological support. Newcastle and Aston Villa have not taken any action against Tonali and Zaniolo yet. However, they have stated that they are aware of the situation, and are waiting for more information. Roma have defended Zalewski and have threatened legal action against Corona.
The Italy national team coach Luciano Spalletti, tried to keep his focus on the upcoming games against Malta and England. Nevertheless, he did say that he respects the players’ privacy, and does not want to comment on their personal issues. Furthermore, he affirmed his trust on his squad, and that he did not think that the scandal would affect their performance.
Do not let this taint your experience
Bettors expect that the betting industry operates on the basis of honesty and integrity. When such serious accusations emerge, they undermine the confidence of the punters who feel betrayed. That is why, these claims should be subjected to rigorous investigations. This is the guarantee that bettors have, when they open a betting account via agent, that their wins or losses are not influenced by any other ulterior motives.