JUVENTUS star Nicolo Fagioli has been handed a seven-month ban for breaching betting rules.
The midfielder was part of a betting scandal that allegedly involved Newcastle star Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo.
AlamyNicolo Fagioli has been hit with a seven-month ban[/caption]
Sandro Tonali, left, and Nicolo Zaniolo are also involved in the betting scandalGetty
Fagioli, 22, has been found guilty of betting on illegal platforms following an investigation.
His father placed the blame on his agents, who hit back saying they advised Fagioli to seek treatment, claiming he had a problem before he joined their agency.
A statement from the Italian Federal Prosecutor’s office stated that Fagioli had received a “12-month disqualification,” five of which “will be commuted to alternative prescriptions.”
The midfielder has been fined nearly £11,000.
And he must “participate in a therapeutic plan lasting at least six months and in a cycle of at least 10 public meetings, to be held within five months.”
Fagioli’s Italy teammates Tonali and Zaniolo could also face lengthy bans if found guilty of gambling on matches.
The pair have been questioned by police in Italy while away on national team duty.
Zaniolo, 24, is alleged to have placed bets on matches involving his former club Roma, where he played under Jose Mourinho before joining Galatasaray in February.
Tonali’s agent revealed his client suffers from a gambling addiction and the midfielder is understood to have hired a therapist to help him fight his problem.
His agent Giuseppe Riso has confirmed Tonali, 23, is seeking help as he outlined his hope that the scandal could “save” his client’s life.
Speaking at an event in London, Riso said: “Sandro suffers from gambling addiction. He’s fighting to avoid that and I’m sure he will win this difficult game.
“He is in shock, he is shaken and sad. I hope that this experience saves his life and that of many others, that it helps those who fall into the same habit as him.”
Both Tonali and Zaniolo could be hit with a potential three-year ban if found guilty, though they are expected to be available for Premier League action this weekend.
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