Juventus player under investigation
Juventus FC midfielder, Nicolo Fagioli, is now the subject of an investigation for illegal gambling.
Turin’s chief prosecutor, Enrica Gabetta, confirmed that Fagioli’s case centres around an illegal online betting platform but has refused to divulge further information.
It is reported that Fagioli initiated contact with the authorities himself in relation to the issue with the 22-year-old’s lawyers claiming he is attempting to be proactive during the inquest.
This investigation could not have come at a less convenient time for the young Italian as he has only just become a key play for the Old Lady with head coach Max Allegri bringing him into the first-team fold following his impressive loan spell at Cremonese just a year ago. He has made six appearances this season and even featured for the Azzurri once this year.
The investigation
It is believed that Italian football’s chief prosecutor, Giuseppe Chine, was made aware of the investigation at the end of August and received initial documents soon after.
In the preliminary stages of this case, investigators analysed user access by cross-referencing data against various transactions that were carried out.
The investigation has also managed to verify the real names and nicknames of registered users on these illegal sites. It was during this analysis that Fagioli’s name appeared.
Repercussions
Regulations stipulate that if Fagioli is indeed found guilty he could face suspension for a maximum of 36 months.
While a fine is usually sufficient for those who have made use of an illegal website, Fagioli’s position as a professional sportsman means a harsher punishment would have to be administered.
Further issues for Juventus
If the investigation is unfavourable he may face similar sporting bans as his teammate Paul Pogba has recently.
In addition to this, the club itself has also been the subject of penalisation in the past year, being deducted 10 points last season in the domestic league, Serie A.
This is also accompanied by suffering an outright ban from European football effective this season for allegations of breaching UEFA’s financial irregularities.
This same regulatory movement from the Turin Prosecutor’s Office also saw several former members of the Juventus board handed bans from football including ex-club president Andrea Agnelli and then-Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici.
Past player discretions
If found guilty, Fagioli will join not only his teammate the polarising Paul Pogba, but also Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been banned from football for eight months after admitting to a staggering 232 betting offences.
Nottingham Forest defender Harry Toffolo has also been banned for five months after breaching the same regulations on 375 occasions.
In any case, Fagioli has not been named in the upcoming Euro 2024 Qualifying matches and thus will not feature against Malta or England for his nation.
Join us in Malta between the 13 – 17 November for SiGMA Europe 2023
SiGMA Europe’s Malta Week festival brings together a diverse and international group of industry leaders for a convergence of expo, conference, and networking. The event will be held at the Mediterranean Maritime Hub (MMH), a larger, more dynamic venue that promises a raw, industrial, and unconventional space unlike anything ever used before.
