Premier League players Tonali and Zaniolo leave Italy´s training camp amid betting inquiry
FLORENCE, Italy (AP) - Premier League players Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo were sent back to their clubs from Italy´s training camp on Thursday after being notified by police of involvement in a betting investigation.
The move comes a day after Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli acknowledged that he is being investigated by Turin prosecutors in the same case for alleged betting online via unauthorized websites.
After police were seen at the national team´s Coverciano training center to question the players, the Italian soccer federation announced that Tonali and Zaniolo had been handed official notifications of their involvement in the Turin inquiry.
"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," the federation said in a statement.
Tonali is a midfielder with Newcastle - having transferred from AC Milan in July - and Zaniolo is an attacking midfielder-forward at Aston Villa on loan from Galatasaray.
Italy hosts Malta on Saturday and then visits England three days later in European Championship qualifying.
Roma's Nicolo' Zaniolo looks on during the match between AS Roma and Genoa at the Olimpic Stadium in Rome, Italy, Jan. 12, 2023. Premier League players Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo were sent back to their clubs from Italy's training camp on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 after being notified by police of involvement in a betting investigation. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
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Newcastle's Sandro Tonali looks on during the Champions League match between AC Milan and Newcastle, at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sept. 19, 2023. Premier League players Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo were sent back to their clubs from Italy's training camp on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 after being notified by police of involvement in a betting investigation. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)
FILE - Juventus' Nicolo Fagioli controls the ball during the 'Berlusconi trophy' soccer match between Monza and Juventus in Monza, near Milan, Italy, Saturday, July 31, 2021. A Lawyer for Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli acknowledged Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, that the player is being investigated by prosecutors in Turin for betting online via unauthorized websites. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)