Juventus extends Fagioli's contract until 2028 despite midfielder's ban for betting violations
Nicolo Fagioli of Juventus celebrates during a Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Cremonese at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, Sunday May 14, 2023. Juventus has extended Nicolò Fagioli’s contract until the end of June 2028. The announcement comes less than a month after the young midfielder was banned for seven months by the Italian soccer federation for betting violations. Credit: AP/Tano Pecoraro
TURIN, Italy — Juventus extended Nicolò Fagioli’s contract until the end of June 2028 on Tuesday, less than a month after the young midfielder was banned for seven months by the Italian soccer federation for betting violations.
Juventus had expressed its support to Fagioli, who admitted to a gambling addiction, immediately after his ban and continued its show of faith by renewing his contract, which was set to expire in 2026.
The 22-year-old Fagioli is considered one of Italy’s top young midfielders and has spent almost his entire career at Juventus — apart from a season-long loan at Cremonese — after joining the Bianconeri’s youth setup in 2015.
Fagioli agreed to a plea bargain with the federation last month that also stipulates he undergo therapy for a gambling addiction.
Fagioli, who had already been seeing a therapist for his problem, alerted the Italian soccer federation’s prosecutor about the case and cooperated with authorities to mitigate his punishment.
That allowed the minimum ban of three years for players betting on soccer matches to be greatly reduced.
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, who used to play for AC Milan, was handed a 10-month ban in the same far-reaching case, with prosecutors in Turin also carrying out a criminal investigation.
