The Italian Federation said on Thursday evening that Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo were being investigated for unlawful betting.
The pair have departed the national team training camp and will not play in their upcoming EURO qualifier against England, but an update has arrived from Italian source La Repubblica.
Ezoic
They claim that the couple met with family and agents before being questioned by police and admitted to playing poker and blackjack but have since distanced themselves from any sports betting.
Sandro Tonali (23) and Nicolo Zaniolo (24) have told their family and agents that they did play poker and blackjack illegally but have denied involvement in illegal sports betting, report La Repubblica.https://t.co/NkHjU2yPk0
— Get Italian Football News (@_GIFN) October 13, 2023
According to the article, the authorities have no specific evidence that they have participated in sports betting, but any accounts, payment methods, and VPNs will be probed in due course.
Providing these confessions are accurate and Tonali has only played poker and blackjack, this could be a positive update. A lengthy ban has been suggested if the pair are found guilty of sports betting, but it is likely to be a fine and slap on the wrist if not.
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