Nicolò Fagioli, the Fiorentina midfielder, has spoken out. His name recently resurfaced in connection with an investigation into illegal betting and online gambling. Fagioli, who was with Juventus at the time of the events, has already faced sporting justice and addressed these issues in a lengthy Instagram post.
Fagioli`s Statement: “I have settled my debt with the justice system. I faced a conviction and a deserved suspension, continuous and justified humiliation, the shame I felt, and the risk of never recovering. I have spoken about my serious condition, ludopathy, in schools, to my family, friends, and the press. The same press that often discusses the serious problems of my illness and how to deal with them, but today puts me back in the spotlight, once again. I have carried the weight of doing something wrong and disappointing everyone who believed in me.”
“It`s no secret that I went through a dark period, suffering from a serious addiction, and this is not an excuse. But seeing this media frenzy again is bringing back those ghosts. This time, it`s not fair. I made mistakes, I paid for them, without harming anyone but myself and those close to me. And like anyone who makes mistakes and pays the price, I have every right to get back on my feet.”
“Everyone, including those writing today, can fall and make mistakes. The important thing is to recognize it, and I believe a man`s strength lies in knowing how to get up again. I was 19 years old at the time, and gambling addiction had taken over me. I regret it, but life has given me a second chance, and I want to seize it, having already served my time.”
“I ask for respect now, after facing a trial and receiving a fair sentence. I apologize to all my colleagues, to all the friends who, through no fault of their own, are involved or mentioned – even if only in a line in a newspaper – in this situation just for helping me. And I thank Fiorentina, Juventus, my friends, and my family, who have never stopped supporting and helping me in a difficult time, even if I have surely disappointed them. I will not return to this topic anymore; now I just need to focus on giving my best on the field.”