Fagioli threatened by debt collectors after betting losses: ‘If this blows up, I’m ruined for life’

BERLIN, GERMANY – JUNE 28: Nicolo Fagioli of Italy during a pitch walk prior to the press conference of Italy at Olympiastadion on June 28, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)

The Fiorentina midfielder, who was still playing for Juventus at the time, is just one of 12 Serie A players implicated in the illegal gambling scandal that has returned to the spotlight in recent days, with new revelations emerging from players’ depositions and the analysis of their devices.

Alongside Sandro Tonali, Fagioli has been described as playing a particularly significant role in the scheme — he allegedly tried to involve other footballers, including Nicolò Zaniolo, and had contacts with individuals at the top of the structure that coordinated the players’ bets.

Fagioli received threats from debt collectors over gambling losses

A new report from Il Corriere della Sera described Fagioli as ‘desperate’ as he struggled to repay a €1.5 million betting debt, receiving multiple threats from a debt collector identified as “Nelly.”

“You’ve pissed me off. You think I’m going to let you make a fool of me?” the debt collector texted the Italy international.

“I swear, if I don’t have the money by Wednesday, I’m coming to Turin and I’ll make sure you stop playing. I’ll even take the pen out of your hand so you can’t sign contracts, because you’re trash. I know everything — all the money listed under other people’s names is actually yours.”

While Fagioli also tried to change agents in an effort to raise the money by selling his future image rights, the situation worsened when his struggles started becoming apparent at Juventus, as revealed in a message he sent to Marco Giordano (son of former footballer Bruno) to ask for help.

“I’ve messed up, but I can’t handle it anymore,” the midfielder wrote.

“Today, someone at Juve spoke to me, asking if I had any problems because they’re starting to realize something’s wrong.

“They’ve heard rumors about gambling, and they can tell I’m no longer mentally present on the pitch or during matches… Tomorrow I won’t play, and if this continues, I’ll always be on the bench.

“And it’s true — I can’t go to training happily anymore… The reality is, I’m facing threats and everything, and I’m out of time, out of excuses, out of options.

“If this blows up, I’m ruined for life. Even Juve told me that today. At night I feel sad, and I no longer enjoy going to training… Can you talk to your bosses to see if they can help me or not? Because this is bigger than me.”

Like Tonali, Fagioli has already received a sporting ban for his involvement in illegal gambling, which included bets on football matches. However, he does not face another suspension for the new revelations, as they refer to the same period of wrongdoing for which he has already been sanctioned.