Aston Villa and Newcastle midfielders return to clubs amid investigations by Italian authorities

Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo has left Italy’s training camp early and is to return to Aston Villa amid illegal betting allegations.

The 24-year-old, who is on a season-long loan at Villa Park, has been questioned by authorities in his home country and will play no part in Italy’s forthcoming internationals against Malta and England respectively.

Zaniolo is joined by Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali in being investigated by the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The development comes amid news that Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is also under investigation for potential betting breaches.

A statement from football authority Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIDC) read: ‘The Federation announces that this afternoon the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office has conducted investigations into players, Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo, who are currently training with the national team at the Coverciano Federal Training Centre.

‘Regardless of the nature of the events, considering that the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the matches scheduled for the next few days, the Federation has decided, also for their protection, to allow them to return to their respective clubs.’

The 15-times capped Italy international left Roma for Galatasary in February 2023 for a reported 16.5m euros.

He made 11 appearances for the Turkish giants before moving to Villa on loan in August. Zaniolo has made nine appearances for Unai Emery’s side, three of which have been Premier League starts.

Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in a £55m deal in July. To date he has featured 10 times for Eddie Howe’s side, scoring once.