Potential danger posed to other competitors
In the world of Italian football, the names of Nicolò Fagioli and Sandro Tonali have been making headlines due to their past gambling scandals. Both players served bans in 2023, with Tonali receiving a 10-month ban and Fagioli a 12-month ban for betting on teams they played for.
Sandro Tonali, currently a player for Newcastle United, was reportedly suffering from a gambling addiction and had millions in debt. These claims were made by Fabrizio Corona, a former paparazzo, on his Telegram channel. Tonali is said to have bet on games of his former club, AC Milan. However, recent updates indicate that Tonali is cooperating with the investigation into his involvement in sports betting.
Nicolò Fagioli, on the other hand, was accused of violating Article 24 of the Italian Sports Law, which prohibits betting on one's own sport. Fagioli, a player for Juventus Turin, has accumulated high debts, reportedly amounting to 3 million euros, but the source of these debts remains unknown. There were also reports suggesting that Fagioli was threatened, with reports suggesting he was threatened with having his legs broken if he did not pay off his debts.
Corona, who is considered an "informed person" by the Italian public prosecutor's office, has claimed that many more players are involved in the scandal and plans to reveal their names soon. Another player, Nicolò Zaniolo, is under investigation for his role in organizing illegal sports betting.
However, it's important to note that there are no recent developments or scandals involving these players beyond their 2023 suspensions reported in late July 2025. Earlier gambling scandals related to Italian football, such as the Calciopoli scandal from the mid-2000s, involved other players but not Fagioli or Tonali. More recent sports gambling investigations in other sports and countries do not involve these players either.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has taken steps to monitor Fagioli's compliance with the agreement and will take measures if he breaches it. Fagioli's ban can be reduced to seven months if he complies with certain conditions, including undergoing therapy for six months.
Newcastle United has issued a statement supporting Tonali and his family, expressing their belief in his ability to learn from his mistakes and grow as a person. Similarly, there has been no public statement from Juventus Turin regarding Fagioli's situation.
In May 2023, English player Ivan Toney from FC Brentford was sentenced to an eight-month ban for violating betting rules. Toney was accused of 232 violations and had to pay 50,000 British pounds (approximately 57,000 euros).
As the dust settles on these past scandals, it remains to be seen how these players will navigate their careers moving forward. The football community will continue to watch closely, hoping for a cleaner and more honest game.
What about the general-news regarding Sandro Tonali, who serves for Newcastle United currently? Despite his past gambling addiction and debts amounting to millions, recent updates indicate that he's cooperating with the sports betting investigation.
Regarding Nicolò Fagioli, who plays for Juventus Turin, he was accused of violating betting rules, accumulating high debts estimated at 3 million euros, and was threatened with violence. Another player, Nicolò Zaniolo, is under investigation for organizing illegal sports betting.
Interestingly, English player Ivan Toney from FC Brentford also faced similar charges, resulting in an eight-month ban in May 2023 for violating betting rules.
