Multiple reports have linked Juventus and USA National midfielder Weston McKennie, alongside 12 other soccer players across Italy for illegal online betting, the Associated Press reports.
Key Takeaways
- The scandal relates back to previous bans on Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Fagioli, accused of promoting the platforms in exchange for kickbacks.
- Players found guilty could face fines, though are unlikely to face any lengthy bans.
Following an investigation related to prior charges against fellow Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali – both of which resulted in lengthy suspensions – evidence has surfaced relating to the use of illegal online poker and betting platforms.
Tonali faced violations for breaching English Football rules last spring, ultimately resulting in a 10-month ban by Italy’s soccer federation last October. Fagioli similarly was subject to a seven-month ban in late 2023. The pair are also among the players named in the new investigation.
The pair are accused of promoting those illegal sites to their teammates, with potential kickbacks for doing so, according to a Fagioli deposition during the previous investigation.
“I pointed out to (former Aston Villa forward Nicolò) Zaniolo illegal sites where he could make online bets, on roulette or poker,” he said. “The organisers of the sites had told me that they would give me some advantages if I brought other bettors.”
If any of the players are found to have participated, they could be found liable to pay a €250 fine to Italian Authorities, though there would be no risk of a ban would be present since they did not bet on any soccer matches.
Tonali again in hot water
Tonali, 24, has once again found himself in the middle of another Serie A scandal. His prior 10-month ban was laid down after he was found to have participated in illegal gambling activity.
In conjunction with the ban, Tonali was sent to rehabilitation for gambling addiction, while the Italian National was forced to miss the 2024 Euros as well. He later faced charges from the Football Association, leading to an additional two-month ban in May 2024 and a €20,000 penalty.
For his part, Tonali appears to have found peace with himself since returning from the suspension, sharing that he was a changed man following the ban.
“Before these 10 months, before the last year, I don’t know, but it’s a little bit different because I was another person. I was two different people in my life and in football. And now I am only one person, only one,” Tonali told SkySports. “When I speak with the gaffer, I am Sandro. When I play, I am Sandro. When I come back to Italy, I am Sandro.”
