Italian Outrage Over Controversial Statements:
Italian Sports Minister Hypocritical and Encourages Betting!
Andrea Abodi, Italy’s Sports Minister, has sparked major controversy by suggesting that players involved in the betting scandal should be excluded from the national team.
According to reports, the issue resurfaced after new investigations pointed to illegal betting websites. The investigations involve 12 Serie A players.
Nicolo Fagioli and Sandro Tonali, Newcastle’s midfielder, were suspended in 2024 for betting on football matches, though neither bet against their own team. Both players returned to the Italian national team, but this decision did not sit well with the Sports Minister.
He said in a press conference: “The Azzurri jersey must be worn by the best, not just in terms of performance on the field, but in all behaviors. As Luciano Spalletti demonstrated with pragmatism and values, wearing this shirt is an honor. The goal is not to humiliate anyone but to uphold responsibility. We must not set a wrong and dangerous example. Of course, federations operate independently, but this is my opinion.”
Abodi’s statements angered Italian fans
These remarks triggered strong reactions in the football world. Umberto Calcagno, head of the Italian Players’ Association, was the first to protest.
He said: “The Constitution states that punishments must also help rehabilitation. Anyone who has faced sports justice should fully return to our world. Paolo Rossi played in the 1982 World Cup after a suspension—he made a mistake, paid the price, and his return to the national team had high sporting and human value.”
In England, gambling addiction is treated with more understanding, but in Italy, some remain harsh on players like Fagioli, who voluntarily reported themselves.
Fagioli underwent addiction treatment as part of his suspension. Paolo Jarre, his therapist, strongly criticized Abodi. Jarre told LaPresse: “It’s shocking that the Sports Minister publicly shames professional athletes for betting while simultaneously promoting the lifting of bans on betting sponsors on jerseys. Pitchside ads aren’t enough—they want players to wear betting company logos. This situation is insane and shows hypocrisy. Another hypocrisy of the Italian Football Federation is that if someone bets on football, they’re suspended, but if they bet on tennis, basketball, or other sports and go bankrupt, no one cares.”
