Betting scandal shakes Italian football, 12 Serie A players are under investigation
The illegal betting scandal that has included Italian football continues to expand, with new details reported by Corriere della Sera. The Milan Prosecutor’s Office has revealed a well -organized network, identifying 12 well -known Serie A players involved in illegal betting. About 1.5m euros were seized and five house arrest measures were sought.
According to investigations, players are not suspected of tricks football matches, but of betting on other sports. The activity continued from December 2021 to October 2023 and, according to investigators, the main motive was not the financial benefit, but simply the filling of leisure.
After seizing the phones of Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Fagioli in 2023, an online betting network was discovered, where footballers invested money through two illegal site managers. They were assisted by three administrators of a jewelery in Milan, used as a « bank » for concealing and circulating money.
Initially, the players received the betting loans. Then, to pay off the debt, they were instructed to pay through the purchase of luxury watches such as Rolex, with simulated bills, while the hours remained in the possession of the organizers.
Tonal and Fagioli are alleged to have served as intermediaries for advertising betting sites on colleagues and opening accounts on their behalf. Both are being investigated and can face up to 3 months in prison and a fine of up to 500 euros.
The players mentioned in the investigation are:
- Alessandro Florenzi (Milan, European Champion 2021)
- Nicolò zaniolo (Fiorentina, ex-Roma)
- Mattia Perin (Juventus)
- Weston McKennie (Juventus)
- Leandro Pares (Rome, world champion with Argentina)
- Ángel di María (formerly Juventus, World Champion)
- Raoul Bellanova (Atalanta)
- Samuele Ricci (Torino, former Peli)
- Cristian Buonaiuto (Padova, former Cremonese)
- Matteo Cancellieri (Parma, former Lazio/Empoli)
- Junior firpo (Leeds United)
- Matteo Gigante (Italian tennisist)
