USMNT star Weston McKennie being investigated in illegal betting scandal

MILAN — United States midfielder Weston McKennie is among 13 shot players being investigated for forbidden online betting successful Italy, according to wide media reports.

A caller investigation by Milan prosecutors stems from grounds fixed by Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Fagioli successful 2023. Both past served lengthy bans, ruling them retired for astir of past season, aft agreeing plea bargains that besides included therapy for a gambling addiction.

Weston McKennie #8 of nan United States controls nan shot against Canada during nan first half of nan CONCACAF Nations League third-place match. Getty Images

Juventus midfielder Fagioli — presently connected indebtedness astatine Fiorentina — was banned for 7 months after admitting to betting connected matches, while Newcastle’s Tonali received a longer suspension of 10 months as his bets besides included his team’s games — astatine nan clip AC Milan.

The duo are besides named successful nan caller investigation, on pinch Fagioli’s then-Juventus teammate McKennie and 9 different existent aliases erstwhile Serie A players, arsenic good arsenic Leeds defender Junior Firpo.

There is nary grounds that nan different players ever gambled connected shot matches but their names emerged from depositions fixed by Tonali and Fagioli and study of their devices.

The players are being investigated for utilizing forbidden platforms for online poker and betting connected different sports. As specified they do not consequence a ban, but alternatively a maximum good of 250 euros ($284) from Italian authorities.

Tonali and Fagioli person besides been accused of promoting those sites among their teammates and different shot players.

Napoli’s Slovak midfielder #68 Stanislav Lobotka (L) fights for nan shot pinch Fiorentina’s Italian midfielder #44 Nicolo Fagioli. AFP via Getty Images

Fagioli said successful a deposition: “I pointed retired to (former Aston Villa guardant Nicolò) Zaniolo forbidden sites wherever he could make online bets, connected roulette aliases poker … nan organisers of nan sites had told maine that they would springiness maine immoderate advantages if I brought different bettors.”

A connection astir Zaniolo recovered connected Fagioli’s telephone besides said: “Bravo, seizure him, activity for me.”