Aston Villa's Nicolo Zaniolo to learn Italian betting probe fate within a fortnight

Villa attacker Nicolo Zaniolo is expected to learn by the end of next week whether he will face a ban as part of an Italian betting scandal.

West Ham United's Vladimir Coufal (left) and Aston Villa's Nicolo Zaniolo battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Sunday October 22, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Villa. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

The 24-year-old has been assisting the Italian FA and the authorities with an investigation into illegal gambling which has already seen Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli banned for seven months.

Zaniolo, who is on a season-long loan from Galatasaray, was questioned by police while on international duty and had personal devices including an iPad and phone taken to be checked.

The former Roma star maintains he has never placed a bet on football matches and only played casino games on sites he did not know were illegal at the time.

At this point, it is believed Zaniolo is unlikely to face a sporting sanction and will instead be fined for using a site unlicensed by the Italian state. The investigation is moving swiftly and the expectation is Zaniolo will find out his fate in the next 10 days.

Any player found guilty of betting on football matches faces a suspension of up to three years under Fifa regulations.

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, who was also questioned after police arrived at the Italian team’s national training camp, last week admitted to having gambled on games. He is expected to be banned for around a year.

Zaniolo met last week with Villa’s president of football operations Monchi to discuss the situation, after being released early from international duty following the police visit.

The club were satisfied with his explanation and he made his fourth Premier League start in Sunday’s 4-1 win over West Ham. His loan from Galatasaray includes an option to buy, which will transfer to an obligation once certain criteria are met.

Asked about Zaniolo’s performance after Sunday’s match, head coach Unai Emery replied: “Zaniolo I think played very well today. His adaptation is going well.

“It’s not easy to introduce him in this squad, in this starting XI. It’s the same for (Diego) Carlos, (Clement) Lenglet, Youri (Tielemans), the new players. I am happy with them and I am practicing every day on the training ground.”