The top Italian football club Juventus Turin has assured its player Nicolo Fagioli, who was suspended due to gambling addiction, “full support”. As the club announced on Thursday, the Italy international should undergo treatment for this. After the seven-month ban that was imposed on Tuesday, Fagioli will then return to the squad.
In addition to the treatment, in which Juve will provide “the necessary support to complete,” the 22-year-old will also have to attend at least ten public meetings at amateur sports clubs and both the local football association and recovery centers for gambling addicts, according to a program by the Italian association FIGC is called.
Fagioli is said to have accumulated large debts on several illegal betting platforms. Two other young stars who recently had to leave the national team are also involved in the scandal: Sandro Tonali (23) from Newcastle United and Nicolo Zaniolo (24) from Aston Villa. According to media reports, Tonali, who moved from AC Milan to Newcastle in the summer for 70 million euros, is seeking a similar agreement to Fagioli, which means he could also be banned for several months.
Gambling is generally allowed in Italy, but not on illegal online platforms. However, players are not allowed to bet in sports in which they are active. The former celebrity photographer Fabrizio Corona, who made the affair public, has announced that he will name more names of footballers involved.