Premier League stars sent home by Italy after betting investigation

Italy have released Newcastle's Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa's Nicolo Zaniolo from their squad to face England and Malta in their Euro 2024 qualifiers over the next week, after they were quizzed by authorities investigating a betting scandal.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed in a statement that both Tonali and Zaniolo had helped authorities with an ongoing investigation, but to "protect them" decided to let them return to their clubs rather than be involved in the upcoming games.

The statement read: "The Federation communicates that, in the late afternoon of today [Thrusday], the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office notified investigation documents to the players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, currently in training with the national team at the Federal Technical Center in Coverciano.

"Regardless of the nature of the acts, believing that in this situation the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the commitments scheduled in the next few days, the Federation has decided, also to protect them, to allow them to return to their respective clubs."

The scandal that is now emerging in Italy first saw Juventus and Italy midfielder Nicolo Fagiolo quizzed by officials this week.

Turin Chief Prosecutor Enrica Gabetta confirmed that Fagiolo was being investigated about claims of illegal betting activity.

Italian media has claimed that 22-year-old Fagiolo was the subject of a probe into use of an illegal betting platform. There is no confirmation about the subject matter, whether football or not. Currently, players in Italy are banned from betting on football matches but not from other types of gambling.

The FIGC allowed police into the national training camp Coverciano on Thursday in order to speak to both Tonali and Zaniolo. Tonali and Zaniolo were accompanied by Italy delegation chief Gigi Buffon, whilst they were questioned.

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