Investigated for involvement in sports betting by the prosecutor’s office in Turin, Italy, midfielder Nicolò Fagioli decided to collaborate with the case to reduce his sentence.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Juventus player reached an agreement for the punishment to be alleviated.
Therefore, the 22-year-old athlete admitted his involvement in betting so that his absence from football could be reduced to seven months.
Therefore, Fagioli explained that he has problems with gambling and that he will be monitored by a psychiatrist to treat his addiction.
If convicted with the maximum sentence, the midfielder could spend more than three years away from the field.
The loss would be enormous for Juventus, who have also lost Frenchman Paul Pogba this season due to doping.
In addition to Fagioli, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa midfielder Nicolò Zaniolo were also investigated in Italy for involvement in sports betting.
Tonali chose to admit his connection to the case, while Zaniolo’s defense denies the connection.
Fagioli reduces sentence through sports betting agreement
Revealed in Juventus‘ youth categories, Nicolo Fagioli gained space in the main team in recent seasons and was even called up for the Italy team in 2022.
He played 45 games, scored three goals and provided six assists for the team.
This Tuesday, the justice department of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) officially sanctioned Italian athlete Nicolò Fagioli, from Juventus, who was suspended for seven months for illegal betting, and also had to pay a fine and undergo therapy.
The five months in which he will not serve his sentence are replaced by public appearances and other community work, in addition to a “therapeutic plan of at least six months in duration” that he will have to comply with.
Fagioli admitted to having bet on football matches, without being involved in them, which is prohibited, having collaborated and recognized a gambling addiction, now missing the entire season at Juventus.
Official Note from the Italian Federation:
“The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has reached an agreement (under the terms of art. 126 CGS) with the football player Nicolò Fagioli, after which he will be sanctioned with a 12-month suspension, 5 of which will be switched to alternative income, and a fine of 12,500 euros, for violating art.24 of the CGS which prohibits the possibility of placing bets on football events organized by FIGC, UEFA and FIFA.
As for alternative prescriptions, Fagioli will have to participate in a therapeutic plan lasting at least 6 months and a cycle of at least 10 public meetings, to be held within 5 months, in amateur sports associations, federal territorial centers, recovery from gambling addiction, and in any case in accordance with the indications and program proposed by the FIGC.
The Federal Public Ministry will ensure compliance with the recommendations and, in the event of infractions, will adopt the measures within its competence, in accordance with the CGS, with the termination of the agreement and continuation of disciplinary proceedings before the judging bodies of sports justice.”
