TURIN

From a talent for the game (football) to a passion for gambling (betting), Nicolò Fagioli’s step was all too short when, at the age of 22, he found himself in the middle of an investigation (much) bigger than himself: “I bet on football matches”, he basically admitted when questioned by the investigators of the Turin Mobile Squad, who, coordinated by the public prosecutor Manuela Pedrotta, were (and still are) on the trail of an illegal betting ring using online platforms. In the process of sifting through this world, populated by people who are not always to be recommended, dozens of users were discovered, including the digital trail that led to the Juve midfielder.

It was late summer when the young promising player of the Bianconeri, and of the national team, received an invitation to appear for questioning as a suspect, concerning his large online bets and, it goes without saying, the hypothetical violation of the rules laid down by law 401 of 1989: those intervening ‘in the sector of clandestine gambling and betting’ to ‘protect the fairness in the conduct of sporting events’. In this case, however, one would be talking about betting on matches, but not of one’s own team. It is clear that the investigators already have several elements in hand and that, lying, would serve no purpose. Thus, Fagioli tells how things went, although it is clear that the agents are mainly targeting those behind the illegal organisation. In short, alleged criminals. Immediately afterwards, the player’s lawyers - Luca Ferrari and Armando Simbari - got in touch with the Procura della Federcalcio, in Rome: Fagioli essentially ‘self-disclosed’, at least as far as sport is concerned. And now he is ‘serene,’ the lawyers go on to explain, 'and is fully focused on Juventus and the championship. Just as the Juventus club had been made aware of the fact right from the start.

Gambling is not a crime, except on illegal platforms, precisely: but a sportsman, whatever his role (athlete, coach or manager) cannot bet on the sport he plays. In this case, football. On this, Article 24 of the Code of Sports Justice is very clear: there is a ban on ‘subjects of the federal system, managers, members and members of clubs belonging to the professional sector to make or accept bets, directly or indirectly, even from persons authorised to receive them, which have as their object results relating to official matches organised within the framework of the FIGC, FIFA and UEFA’.

For sporting justice, Fagioli potentially faces a maximum disqualification of up to three years. After that, youth and club expect - in case of guilt - much less. It is, in short, a delicate case, both sportingly and humanly, if it is true that Fagioli has been attracted to the game since his youth days, when - they say - the plush touch of the ball was already accompanied by poker games. An alleged ‘ludopathy’ that could be explained as part of the defensive line before the sporting justice. And if nothing is at risk for Juve, there could be a different matter for other FIGC members, even if in a completely hypothetical way: since, the same Article 24, speaks of an ‘obligation to inform the Federal Prosecutor’s Office’ if they become aware that clubs or other FIGC members are engaged in betting. Because once the news came out yesterday, it seems that almost everyone in the world of football knew about Fagioli’s demon.