Weston McKennie, 12 Players Investigated in Italy's Illegal Betting Scandal

A significant investigation by the Milan Prosecutor's Office has implicated several professional football players in a scandal involving illegal online betting in Italy, focusing on actions between December 2021 and October 2023. Among the 13 players under scrutiny are Weston McKennie, Sandro Tonali, and Nicoló Fagioli, who have previously faced sanctions for their gambling activities. The investigation suggests that these players used a Milan-based jewelry store as a means to settle their betting debts, effectively functioning as a covert 'bank.' While no players are accused of match-fixing, they may face fines rather than bans, as their involvement appears limited to betting on non-football events. Notably, Álvaro Morata's name surfaced in relation to Fagioli's claims regarding luxury watch transactions, but there is no evidence of his participation in illegal activities. The situation has raised concerns about the integrity of Italian football and the gambling practices among its players.