US soccer star Weston McKennie among 13 players being investigated for illegal gambling in Italy
- READ MORE: Shock update on Lionel Messi's soccer future
United States midfielder Weston McKennie is among a group of 13 soccer players being investigated for illegal online betting in Italy.
A new investigation by prosecutors in Milan stems from evidence given by fellow soccer players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Fagioli in 2023.
Both then served lengthy bans, ruling them out for most of last season, after agreeing plea bargains that also included therapy for a gambling addiction.
Juventus midfielder Fagioli - currently on loan at Fiorentina - was banned for seven months after admitting to betting on matches, while Newcastle's Tonali received a longer suspension of 10 months as his bets also included his team's games - at the time AC Milan.
The duo are also named in the new investigation, along with Fagioli's then-Juventus teammate McKennie and nine other current or former Serie A players, as well as Leeds defender Junior Firpo.
There is no evidence that the other players ever gambled on soccer matches but their names emerged from depositions given by Tonali and Fagioli and analysis of their devices.
USMNT star Weston McKennie is among 13 players being investigated for illegal betting in Italy
He made his breakthrough at German side Schalke before joining Italian giants Juventus
The investigation stems from Sandro Tonali (above) and Nicolo Fagioli's evidence in 2023
McKennie, 26, has won 60 caps for the USMNT and has been an important player for the team since making his debut in 2017.
Born in Little Elm, Texas he made his breakthrough in European soccer at German side Schalke before joining Italian giants Juventus initially on loan in 2020.
McKennie featured in both games for Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT last month, when they finished fourth in the CONCACAF Nations League finals in Los Angeles.
The players are being investigated for using illegal platforms for online poker and betting on other sports.
As such they do not risk a ban, but instead a maximum fine of €250 ($284) from Italian authorities.
Tonali and Fagioli have also been accused of promoting those sites among their teammates and other soccer players.
Fagioli said in a deposition: 'I pointed out to (former Aston Villa forward Nicolo) Zaniolo illegal sites where he could make online bets, on roulette or poker... the organizers of the sites had told me that they would give me some advantages if I brought other bettors.'
A message about Zaniolo found on Fagioli's phone also said: 'Bravo, capture him, work for me.'
