After the betting scandal, Fagioli attacks the media and apologizes to his teammates

Italian Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli, on loan at Fiorentina, has sharply criticized the media after they published new details about his struggles with match betting. This comes at a sensitive time after 13 Italian players were investigated last week for their involvement in illegal online betting. Fagioli had previously given evidence against himself and teammate Sandro Tonali in 2023, leading to severe sanctions for both. The latest investigation included highlighting how Fagioli contacted more than 30 people to help pay off his €587,000 (approximately $666,000) debt, and how he used a jewelry store in Milan to settle it. These details sparked a wave of criticism, prompting Fagioli to speak out publicly on his Instagram account. "I made mistakes and paid for them. Like anyone who makes a mistake and pays for it, I have every right to get back up again. I was 19 when all this happened, and my betting addiction got the better of me. I regret it, but life has given me a second chance and I want to take advantage of it, having already been punished for everything I deserved," Fagioli said in his post. Fagioli was previously banned for seven months after admitting betting on matches, while Tonali was banned for 10 months after being found to have placed bets on Milan matches during his time with the team. Although there is no evidence that the other players were involved in betting on matches, their names appeared in the statements given by Fagioli and Tonali. Concluding his post, Fagioli apologized to his teammates who were affected by the events, saying: "I apologize to all my teammates and friends who were involved or included in the list due to my mistakes. I would like to thank Fiorentina, Juventus, my friends, and my family, who never stopped supporting me during difficult times, even if I disappointed them." Fagioli missed most of last season due to his suspension, which significantly impacted his football career.