EPL stars sent home from int'l duty 'for their own protection'

Two Premier League stars have been sent home from international duty "for their own protection".

The Italian Football Federation has announced that Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa loanee Nicolo Zaniolo are being investigated by the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office.

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While their alleged offences were not specified, the Italian FA said the pair were "not in the necessary condition" and have been turned away from the country's training camp "also for their protection" on Thursday, with Italy due to take on Malta on Saturday, and then England next Tuesday in 2024 UEFA European Championship qualifying action. 

"The Federation announces that this afternoon the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office has conducted investigations into players, Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo, who are currently training with the national team at the Coverciano Federal Training Centre," the federation said in a statement. 

"Regardless of the nature of the events, considering that the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the matches scheduled for the next few days, the Federation has decided, also for their protection, to allow them to return to their respective clubs."

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According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the pair are being investigated for alleged betting breaches, while Turin prosecutors announced earlier this week that another Italian player, Nicolò Fagioli, is under investigation for his alleged involvement in illegal betting activities, per The Guardian.

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