Italy on Thursday sent back Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo to their respective Premier League clubs from the Italy training camp over betting probe. The Italian Football Federation released the Zaniolo and Tonali after the Police informed FIGC of the betting inquiry.
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The move comes a day after Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli acknowledged that Turin prosecutors were investigating him in the same case for alleged betting online via unauthorized websites.
Following the presence of law enforcement officials at the Coverciano training facility of the Italian national football team to interview players, the Italian Football Federation declared that they had received official notification of the involvement of the two players in an investigation.
The FIGC did not disclose the nature of the inquiry. But they confirmed that the two players had been granted permission to return home. The action was due to the Federation’s belief that they were not in a suitable condition to compete in future games.
A statement from the Italian Federation issued on Thursday read: “The Federation announces that this afternoon the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office has conducted investigations into players, Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, who are currently training with the national team at the Coverciano Federal Training Centre.
“Regardless of the nature of the events, considering that the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the matches scheduled for the next few days, the Federation has decided, also for their protection, to allow them to return to their respective clubs.”
Italy play Malta on Saturday and before taking on England at Wembley on Tuesday in Euro qualifiers.
23-year-old Tonali signed for Newcastle from AC Milan in the last summer. Zaniolo is on loan to Aston Villa Turkish club Galatasaray.
