Juventus and USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie is named in an Italian investigation involving gambling on illegal sites. According to a report by Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, 12 Serie A players, including McKennie, are under investigation for using illegal sites to place bets on poker and other sports outside of soccer.
The alleged events took place between 2021 and 2023 and are part of a larger probe that led to the suspension of Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Fiorentina player Nicolo Fagioli in October 2023. McKennie’s alleged involvement, along with the other Serie A players, are as “mere gamblers” in sports that did not include soccer. The report alleges that online poker was one of the activities for which the players placed large bets outside of the authorization of the Customs and Monopolies Agency. The players are said to have paid their gambling debts by going to a jewelry store in Milan, where they “would seemingly pay for Rolexes and other luxury watches with fully traceable bank transfers.” The players would then receive an invoice for the “transaction.”
Italian news agency ANSA indicated that “from a criminal standpoint, the footballers face minimal risk and can resolve the matter by paying a fine. The most significant reviews will come from sporting justice.” However, the case will be referred to the Italian federation for review, with suspensions possible for all of the players involved. The investigation currently continues with over €1.5 million seized to date and five people under house arrest.
Weston McKennie will continue to play for Juventus during the investigation, and it is unclear whether his status for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to begin in June, will be affected.
