Major Nicolo Zaniolo update emerges as Aston Villa left in limbo

Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo has reportedly landed in Italy for crunch talks about the ongoing gambling scandal. Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali recently received a 10-month ban from football for betting on football matches. Zaniolo is keen to express his innocence.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reports the on-loan Villa man has arrived at the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Turin to explain his position. Zaniolo was accused of breaching gambling regulations on October 12 as both he and Tonali were swiftly released from international duty.

“Regardless of the allegations, we believe in this situation the players are not in the necessary condition to face the commitments scheduled in the next days,” read a statement issued by the FIGC. “The Federation has decided, also to protect them, to allow them to return to their respective clubs.”

Nicolo Fagioli of Juventus is another player involved in the scandal as he was banned for seven months after pleading guilty to betting charges. Zaniolo, unlike Tonali and Fagioli, has pleaded his full innocence, claiming he has only gambled on blackjack sites he didn’t know were illegal.

As it stands, Zaniolo hasn’t been found guilty or not guilty in this case. More is set to follow after today’s talks in the Villa midfielder’s home nation.