Juventus and Italian midfielder Nicolo Fagioli has been served a lengthy seven months suspension over betting breach.
The ban by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) comes after the player violated betting rules. Fagioli was found to have breached the rule that prohibits betting on football events organized by the FIGC, UEFA, and FIFA.
Out of the seven-month suspension, Fagioli will serve five months, and the remaining two months have been set aside. In addition to the suspension, he is to pay a fine of €12,500 (£10,848). To address his gambling problem, the player has also agreed to undergo therapy for at least six months.
The 22-year-old midfielder made his debut for the Italian national team in November last year during a friendly match against Albania, but he has only earned one cap so fat. Due to the suspension, Fagioli was not part of the Italian squad for their recent matches against Malta and England.
Fagioli’s case follows a recent investigation into fellow Italian players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, who returned to their clubs from Italy’s training camp after the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office began looking into allegations of illegal betting related to their activities.