Juventus’ Nicolo Fagioli faces seven-month ban over gambling offence

Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli has been banned for seven months by the Italian football federation for breaching betting rules.

Fagioli was given a 12-month ban, with five months suspended, and fined 12,500 euros (£10,850).

The 22-year-old will also have to have therapy for his gambling problem.

The FIGC says Fagioli broke rules about placing bets on football events organised by them, European governing body Uefa and world ruling body Fifa.

Fagioli is alleged to have used a variety of identities to place bets on illegal websites.

His punishment follows Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and fellow midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, who is on loan at Aston Villa from Galatasaray, leaving Italy’s training camp on 12 October after being told they were involved in an investigation by Italian prosecutors.

The FIGC did not specify what the investigation concerned, but Italian news agency Ansa reported it related to an illegal betting probe.

Fagioli’s agreement with the FIGC about his punishment will involve him having to speak of his experiences in at least 10 sessions with amateur sporting organisations and with groups helping gambling addicts.

Juventus will now have another midfielder unavailable following France international Paul Pogba being provisionally suspended after failing a drugs test.

Fagioli made his first team debut for Juventus in 2021 and went on loan to Cremonese during the 2021-22 campaign.

He helped the club get promoted to Serie A before returning to Juventus and has made six appearances this season, registering one assist.