Nicolo Zaniolo and Sandro Tonali have left the Italian camp and will not be available for the next 2 matches. The decision came after the investigation opened by the Italian prosecutor's office on the 2 players. The official authorities have not yet given details about why this investigation is taking place, but according to voices closer to the situation, it is suspected that the players may be involved in illegal betting.
The Italian Football Federation announced that the players are not in the right condition to play in the next 2 qualifiers for the European Championship that will take place next year. The news comes a day after the publication of another sensational piece of information, where according to the Italian football federation, Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is suspected of having used a number of false identities to place sports bets on illegal sites. Meanwhile, regarding Tonali and Zaniolo, the Italian federation said:
"Regardless of the nature of the investigative order, given the situation, the two players are not fit to face the matches in the coming days. For this reason, the federation has decided...to allow them to return to their respective clubs."
Italy will face Malta first, before then traveling to England, in the crucial game for Group C. The Italians are second in the overall group standings, 6 points behind leaders England. Italy have the same points as Ukraine and North Macedonia, however, with one more game to play.
The absences of Tonali and Zaniolo are expected to have their impact on the national team, and coach Luciano Spalletti will have to think of other alternative solutions. In the meantime, regarding the final decision on the raised charges, we will still have to wait.
