Italian footballer banned for breaching betting rules

An Italian footballer has been hit with a seven-month ban for breaching betting rules.

As reported by BBC Sport, Italy’s football association, the FIGC, said Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli breached regulations around betting on football matches organised by UEFA, FIFA and the FIGC.

It is alleged that the 22-year-old used a number of different identities for his betting accounts.

He has been banned for 12 months, with five months suspended, and handed a €12,500 (£10,850) fine.

The FIGC said that as part of the ruling, Fagioli will undergo therapy for a gambling problem and speak about his experiences with amateur sports organisations and groups helping those with gambling problems in 10 sessions.

The development comes after Premier League duo Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, of Newcastle United and Aston Villa respectively, were cited in an alleged betting probe last week. The pair were sent home from Italy’s camp for the international break.