Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is reportedly at risk of a three-year ban from football amid an investigation into alleged illegal betting by the Italian.
The 22-year-old has blossomed into an important player for the Italian giants in recent months, having made his debut in a Coppa Italia quarter-final win over Spal in January 2021.
Following a successful loan spell with Cremonese in the 2021-22 campaign, Fagioli was a shining light in a difficult 2022-23 season for Juve, making 37 appearances and coming up with three goals and five assists.
The midfielder started 17 Serie A fixtures and four Europa League matches last season under Massimiliano Allegri, while he also won his first cap for the senior Italy team in a 3-1 friendly win over Albania last November.
Fagioli has continued to play an important role for Juventus this season with one assist from six Serie A matches, although he did not earn a call-up to the Italy squad for October's Euro 2024 with Malta and England.
© Reuters
A two-week recuperation period would seemingly be of benefit to Fagioli and Juventus, who are already working around the fallout from Paul Pogba's positive doping test.
However, a second scandal has now hit the Old Lady, as La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Fagioli is now under investigation by prosecutors for apparent betting on illegal platforms.
Fagioli's profile and the profiles of others have supposedly been cross-referenced by the investigative team, and the Turin Prosecutor's Office have been working on the findings for a number of months.
Public prosecutor Manuela Pedrotta is now said to be overseeing the file, while the midfielder's lawyers are also reported to have submitted a statement at the end of August amid fears of a lengthy suspension.
While gambling itself is not a crime, individuals can be sanctioned for betting on illegal platforms, while athletes are also not permitted to gamble on the sport which they practice.
© Reuters
The Prosecutors's Office will now determine whether Fagioli did indeed take part in illegal gambling, which could potentially carry a ban of up to three years if the 22-year-old is found guilty.
Alongside the ongoing Fagioli investigation, his fellow midfielder Pogba is widely expected to have his contract terminated after he was confirmed to have tested positive for non-endogenous testosterone.
Pogba's first positive result came back from a random test taken after August's win over Udinese, and his second 'B' sample was also confirmed to show elevated testosterone levels earlier this month.
The Frenchman - whose second spell in Turin has also been blighted by injuries - could now be suspended for between two and four years, and his Juventus contract runs until 2026.
Allegri's side sit third in the Serie A table with 17 points from eight games and return to action after the international break with a daunting trip to AC Milan on October 22.
Ben Knapton
