Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has initiated an investigation into Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli over allegations of involvement in sports betting.
Fagioli, a 22-year-old talent with one Italy cap to his name, earned recognition as the best under-23 player in Serie A during the previous season.
The investigation began in August, and the Turin prosecutor’s office has also reportedly opened a parallel inquiry.
The crux of the matter lies in suspicions that Fagioli employed multiple identities to place bets on illegal sports betting websites.
The FIGC’s sports justice code explicitly prohibits professional players from engaging in football-related betting activities.
If Fagioli is found to be in violation of this code, he could face severe consequences, including a three-year suspension from the sport and a hefty fine of 25,000 euros.
When contacted for comment, Juventus, Fagioli’s club, declined to provide any statements on the ongoing investigation.
This season, Fagioli has already appeared in six matches for Juventus, who currently hold the third position in Serie A.
It’s important to note that Juventus has faced off-the-field scandals in the recent past.
Last season, the club grappled with a fraud scandal that resulted in a 10-point deduction imposed by the FIGC, causing them to miss out on a coveted Champions League place.
Additionally, the club is currently dealing with the suspension of French international midfielder Paul Pogba, who has been sidelined since September 11 due to a positive doping test.
Pogba potentially faces a four-year ban from the sport, pending the outcome of the doping investigation.
This latest investigation into Nicolo Fagioli adds another layer of complexity to Juventus’ off-field challenges, and the FIGC’s findings could have significant implications for both the player and the club.
