Italy : Angry response as Minister for Sport wants gamblers out of Azzurri after scandal

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Sandro Tonali of Italy makes a pass whilst under pressure from Joshua Kimmich of Germany during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi has sparked a firestorm by suggesting players involved in the gambling scandal should be cut from the Italy squad. ‘The Azzurri jersey should not set a wrong and dangerous example.’

The issue is back in the headlines after a new investigation pointed towards gambling on illegal websites, including 12 Serie A players.

Nicolò Fagioli and Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali both sat out bans in 2024, as they had been betting on football matches, albeit not at any point placing bets against their own teams.

They returned to the Nazionale, a decision that seemingly did not sit well with the Italian Minister for Sport, Abodi.

“The Azzurri jersey must be worn by the best, not just in their behaviour on the field, but behaviour in general,” said Abodi at a press conference.

“I think that, just as the pragmatism and sense of values shown by Luciano Spalletti explained, the Azzurri jersey is an honour. This is not about mortifying anyone, but about responsibility, as we cannot set a wrong and dangerous example.

“Federations move autonomously, of course, but these are my thoughts on the matter.”

Abodi statement on Italy players prompts angry response

The comments sparked a firestorm of responses from around the football world, starting with Umberto Calcagno, the President of the Italian Players’ Association (AIC).

“I want to point out that the Constitution states penalties are also aimed at re-educating. Anyone who has already dealt with the sporting justice system must be part of our world, completely. After all, Paolo Rossi was at the 1982 World Cup after sitting out a ban, where he made a mistake and paid for it.

“Getting him back to the Italy squad added value, both on a sporting and human level.”

While in England the approach to gambling addiction has been more understanding, some in Italy are still very harsh on those players who fell into this illness, even if like Fiorentina midfielder Fagioli they were the ones who called the authorities to hand themselves in.

As part of his ban, Fagioli has undergone treatment for the gambling addiction and his therapist Paolo Jarre hit out at Abodi.

“It’s scandalous, shocking, that the Minister for Sport should publicly reprimand professional athletes who gamble and at the same time promote the abolition of the ban on gambling sites as shirt sponsors,” Jarre told LaPresse agency.

“There are banners on the side of the pitch, but that’s not enough, they want players to wear on their jerseys the logos of those who promote gambling. It’s an insane situation and shows the general hypocrisy around this issue.

“The other hypocrisy of the FIGC is that if someone bets on football, he is suspended, but someone else can go bankrupt and make himself open to blackmail by gambling on tennis, basketball or any other sport. They don’t care about that.”