Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo reportedly admitted to police that they had gambled on illegal platforms, but claimed none of the bets were on football.
La Repubblica via Calciomercato.com details how the pair were visited by investigators at Italy’s training ground in Coverciano last night after gossip columnist Fabrizio Corona alleged their involvement in betting on illegal platforms.
The two players have since withdrawn from the Italy squad and left Coverciano, being replaced by Samuele Ricci and Stephan El Shaarawy in Luciano Spalletti’s team.
Tonali and Zaniolo, both almost in tears, admitted to investigators that they had gambled on some illegal platforms, but never betted on football matches, claiming that they’d been playing poker and blackjack.
The police seized their phones and tablets as part of the investigation. They both denied having spoken to Nicolo Fagioli about bets on football.
Reports also suggest that at least 10 other Serie A players are involved in the growing betting scandal. All involved players risk up to a three-year ban, which can be reduced through cooperation or a guilty plea.