Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli banned from football for seven months amid Italian betting scandal

Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli has been banned from football for seven months as part of an investigation into illegal betting.

Fagioli was also ordered to go through six months of therapy and speak in at least 10 public meetings over the next five months as part of an agreement to reduce his on-pitch ban from 12 months, while he was fined €12,500.

The punishment was confirmed by the FIGC on Tuesday following a probe by Turin prosecutors that has also seen Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa winger Nicolo Zaniolo put under investigation.

A FIGC statement read: “The Federal Prosecutor has reached an agreement with the player Nicolo Fagioli following which he will be sanctioned with a suspension of 12 months, five of which are commuted to alternative provisions, and a fine of €12,500, for violating Article 24 of the Sporting Justice Code that prohibits the possibility of placing bets on football events organised by the FIGC, UEFA and FIFA.”

The “alternative provisions” in question are a therapy plan to help Fagioli with his gambling problem and his attendance at “at least 10 public meetings” to take place at venues such as amateur sports clubs and centres for those recovering from gambling dependence.

The 22-year-old was the first of three players to be named as under investigation as part of a probe by Turin prosecutors into illegal betting websites.

Article 24 of the Sporting Justice Code says the punishment for players found to have gambled on football matches is a minimum three-year ban.

However, Fagioli’s punishment was reduced thanks to him immediately admitting his guilt and collaborating with authorities in their investigation.

The other two players being investigated, Tonali and Zaniolo, are yet to discover their fate as the investigation into the pair is not at as advanced a phase as with Fagioli.

It is a huge blow for talented midfielder Fagioli, one of Juventus’ most promising young talents who has featured in six of their eight Serie A games this season.

Fagioli, who earned his first senior Italy cap last November, will miss almost all of the 2023/24 season, although he will available to return for the final two games of the season against Bologna and Monza at the end of May next year.

Juventus face AC Milan at San Siro on Sunday, October 22, live on TNT Sports.

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