Italian football faces another betting scandal as prosecutors investigate 12 Serie A players, including Argentina’s Ángel Di María and Leandro Paredes, along with current Juventus players Weston McKennie and Mattia Perin. The probe stems from alleged illegal gambling activities between December 2021 and October 2023, primarily involving poker and other non-football betting.
Key Details of the Investigation
The Milan Prosecutor’s Office uncovered the operation after analysing phones seized from Sandro Tonali (Newcastle) and Nicolò Fagioli (Fiorentina), who previously served bans for football-related betting. The investigation revealed that players used an underground network, with transactions disguised as jewellery purchases at a Milan store. Authorities seized €1.5 million and placed five suspects under house arrest.
Potential Penalties
If convicted, players face minor fines (up to €250) but no sporting bans—unless evidence emerges of betting on football. The legal implications are relatively minor, but the case could trigger disciplinary action from the Italian Football Federation if it decides to pursue the matter.
Players Involved
The list includes several prominent figures: Juventus’s Weston McKennie and Mattia Perin, former Juventus players Ángel Di María and Leandro Paredes, AC Milan’s Alessandro Florenzi, Fiorentina’s Nicolò Zaniolo, Atalanta’s Raoul Bellanova, and Torino’s Samuele Ricci, among others.
Tonali & Fagioli’s Role
Despite already serving suspensions, both Tonali and Fagioli remain under scrutiny for allegedly promoting illegal platforms. Investigators found Tonali’s testimony more credible than Fagioli’s, whose phone evidence contradicted his claims.
Impact on Clubs
Juventus manager Igor Tudor faces no immediate disruptions, as the case centres on past activities. McKennie and Perin remain available for selection. This scandal echoes past controversies in Italian football, though its focus on non-sport betting may spare players severe sanctions. Authorities continue to pursue the ringleaders behind the illicit operation.
