Italy stars Nicolo Zaniolo and Sandro Tonali are at the center of another betting scandal just when their Premier League careers started to gain momentum. Both players have withdrawn from the national team’s camp ahead of pivotal Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and England.
Zanioli, who left Galatasaray to link up with Aston Villa on a season-long loan last summer, has confessed to being involved in illegal gambling activities. Like Tonali, the versatile forward is facing legal charges. Therefore, he cannot help Italy in October’s set of qualifiers.
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“I don’t bet, at least not on football. I played on online platforms that I didn’t know were illegal, but poker or blackjack,” the Italy international said, as quoted by Gazzetta dello Sport. “Nothing more, and I’m sorry because, between Aston Villa and the national team, things were finally going well.“
With several first-team stars ruled out injured, Italy boss Luciano Spalletti faces a selection nightmare. Tonali and Zaniolo’s withdrawals were the last thing he needed ahead of Gli Azzurri’s blockbuster trip to Wembley to encounter qualifying Group C leaders England.
Italy should steamroll past Malta on Saturday. But taking on one of Europe’s best-performing sides without numerous significant cogs could prove an unpleasant experience. On top of that, Spalletti’s men are under extreme pressure as they sit level on points with North Macedonia and Ukraine.