Nicolò Fagioli is set to suit up for Juventus for the first time since receiving a seven-month ban for betting offenses. The 23-year-old is a part of the matchday squad for the club’s second-to-last Serie A game of the season on Monday night. Bologna is the opponent, sitting in third place on the table and only ahead of Juventus on points difference.
placed bets on soccer games through illegal gambling sites
Fagioli received his ban in October after it came to light that he placed bets on soccer games through illegal gambling sites. The authorities cut five months from the original sentence after the midfielder cooperated and got treatment for his gambling addiction. He was facing up to three years away from the sport at one point in addition to a significant financial penalty.
The Italian international was able to train with the team during his ban. Talking about his struggle with gambling, the Piacenza native explained that he began betting at 16 years old and that loneliness potentially played a role in his struggles.
He wasn’t the only notable Italian player caught up in a betting scandal recently. Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is currently serving a ten-month ban for similar offenses, while a leading gossip columnist in Italy named other players he suspects of engaging in illegal gambling.