United States midfielder Weston McKennie and 12 other soccer players are under investigation for alleged illegal online sports betting in Italy, according to multiple reports.
One of the reports, by Italian outlet Corriere della Sera — per Stars and Stripes — said the 13 Serie A players are being probed for allegedly using illegal sites to place bets on poker and other sports, not including soccer.
The alleged events occurred between 2021 and 2023 and are amid a larger investigation that led to the suspension of Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and Fiorentina’s Nicolo Fagioli in 2023.
The report alleges that online poker was one activity in which the soccer players put large bets “outside of the authorization of the Customs and Monopolies Agency.”
The players allegedly paid their gambling debts at a jewelry store in Milan, where they “would seemingly pay for Rolexes and other luxury watches with fully traceable bank transfers,” according to Stars and Stripes. The players then would get a “transaction” invoice.
According to Italian news agency ANSA, “From a criminal standpoint, the footballers face minimal risk and can resolve the matter by paying a fine. The most significant reviews will come from sporting justice.”
ANSA said the case will be sent to the Italian federation for evaluation, with suspensions possible for all 13 players.
McKennie will continue to play for Juventus in Serie A during the probe, and it wasn’t clear whether his status for the FIFA Club World Cup will be affected.
That event will begin in June.
–Field Level Media
