The Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office are not hurrying to talk to Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo regarding his alleged involvement in the Serie A betting scandal.
The 24-year-old Italian midfielder has been formally placed under investigation for allegedly using unregulated gambling platforms, with some accusations also claiming that he bet on football matches, something he has denied.
Zaniolo and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali both withdrew from the Italy national squad earlier this month after a visit from police at the training ground in Coverciano. The latter is now expected to be handed a 10-month ban, having placed bets on Milan and Brescia wins during his time at the two clubs.
A report from Corriere dello Sport via TMW details how Zaniolo is currently considering a marginal figure in the Serie A betting scandal and is not a priority for the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office, who are currently focusing their efforts on the links to organised crime.
Zaniolo believes his mistake – gambling on blackjack – was insignificant and won’t be met with a lengthy ban, so he is in no rush to speak to investigators. Unlike Juventus’ Nicolo Fagioli and Tonali, the Aston Villa midfielder has never intended to report himself to the authorities.