Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli reveals how he borrowed money from teammates to escape threats from illegal betting platforms.
Fagioli has been banned for seven months by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Prosecutor as part of a betting investigation that also involves Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo.
During an interrogation with the FIGC Prosecutor, Fagioli admitted that he owed money to owners of illegal betting platforms and that the pressure had been increasing over several months.
He mentioned that Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali had suggested to him an app for placing bets on illegal online platforms.
Fagioli said his debts had accumulated to €250,000 by September 2022, leading to increased pressure from the managers of the illegal betting platforms.
To cover part of his debt, Fagioli stated that he resorted to purchasing luxury watches, which he then delivered to the platform owners unnoticed by people around him, and he would sometimes do bank transfers.
He also said he borrowed money from teammates, including Federico Gatti and Radu Dragusin, without disclosing the reason for the loans.
Fagioli added that one of the most difficult moments for him was during a match against Sassuolo when he was substituted.
He said the pressure related to his debts and gambling addiction overwhelmed him, causing him to tear on the bench, as a result of emotional breakdown.
