Italian football duo involved in alleged betting probe

Two Premier League-based Italian footballers have left their country’s squad for the international break as they face an investigation into alleged betting breaches.

Italian news agency ANSA has claimed that Aston Villa’s Nicolò Zaniolo and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali are involved in the probe.

An investigation into both players, the nature of which was not outlined, has been confirmed by the Italian football federation.

The FIGC said: “The Federation announces that, in the late afternoon of today [Thursday], the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Turin has notified investigative acts to footballers Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo, currently meeting with the national team at the Federal Technical Center of Coverciano.

“Regardless of the allegations, we believe in this situation the players are not in the necessary condition to face the commitments scheduled in the next days.

“The Federation has decided, also to protect them, to allow them to return to their respective clubs.”

Journalist Fabrizio Corona reported that Zaniolo bet on Roma’s cup games while he was part of the matchday squad.