Despite being under investigation for his alleged involvement in the ongoing Italian betting scandal, Nicolo Zaniolo may still be included in Aston Villa’s lineup for their upcoming match against West Ham this weekend.
Both Zaniolo, who is currently on loan to Villa, and Sandro Tonali of Newcastle had withdrawn from the Italy squad last week. This withdrawal came after the Italian football federation cited concerns about the players’ “condition” and their suitability to participate in the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and England.
The future steps for both Zaniolo and Tonali are uncertain, especially as Unai Emery’s side is preparing to face West Ham at Villa Park this Sunday. The club has not released a public statement regarding the ongoing investigation.
According to a report in the Daily Mail earlier this week, Italian authorities have been investigating around 40 players. Additionally, Tonali’s agent has already confirmed that the 23-year-old is grappling with a gambling addiction.
Nicolo Zaniolo’s situation remains a topic of interest as Aston Villa makes preparations ahead of their match against West Ham.
