12 Current and Former Serie A Stars Part of Investigation for Illegal Betting

A dozen men’s football players are being investigated in Italy for engaging in illicit betting.

Photo: Angel Di Maria celebrating one of his goals for Argentina NT (screenshot: youtube.com/@SH1990)

As part of an investigation into suspected illegal betting in Italy involving 12 players, the Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali is apparently still under investigation. In October 2023, the Newcastle United F.C. player received a 10-month ban for wagering on games, including those involving his former team, AC Milan.

However, according to the Italian press, 11 other present and past Serie A Enilive players are being looked into by Italian authorities in a new investigation into illicit betting. They include Nicolo Fagioli of ACF Fiorentina, who, like Tonali, has already served a ban for illicit betting, and former Manchester United F.C. ace Ángel Di María, who was once at Juventus FC and is currently at S.L. Benfica. The Argentine winger is the most prominent name among these. Leandro Paredes of AS Roma, Raoul Bellanova of Atalanta BC, Samuele Ricci of Torino FC, and Weston McKennie and Mattia Perin of Juventus are among the other players enmeshed in the latest upheaval.

What Are These Players Being Investigated for?

According to Italian media, all 12 players are under investigation for playing poker and placing bets on sports events—but not football games—on illegal gambling websites. Additionally, Italian authorities claim Tonali and Fagioli received financial compensation for enlisting other gamblers on the covert platforms.

In October 2023, Tonali was previously banned from football for 10 months for placing bets on football games. He disclosed that he missed Italy’s unsuccessful attempt to defend their UEFA Euro title last summer due to his gambling addiction. Tonali, who cost £60 million to sign from Milan in July 2023, missed a significant portion of Newcastle’s 2023–24 season before making his first-team comeback in August of last year. At the moment, “The Magpies” are fourth in the Premier League standings, while the best English Premier League betting sites are maintaining alluring odds for their staying in the top four.

It’s said that the players will probably only receive a fine if they are found guilty. That would, however, be distinct from any sanctions imposed by the Italian Football Federation (also known as the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio, or FIGC).