Nicolo Zaniolo 'will seek a full acquittal as he continues to deny illegal gambling charges amid investigation by Italian authorities'

Nicolo Zaniolo is set to seek a full acquittal from gambling charges levied at him by the Italian football federation as he continues to deny having placed bets on football, according to reports in Italy. 

The Aston Villa loanee is one of three players swept up in an investigation being carried out by the Italian authorities into alleged illegal betting, alongside Nicolo Fagioli of Juventus, and Newcastle's landmark summer signing Sandro Tonali. 

Zaniolo and Tonali were released from the Italy squad last week as news broke that they had been named as part of the investigation, with worldwide bans from football possible for up to three years if any of the players are found to have broken gambling laws. 

Under Italian regulations, athletes are forbidden from betting on the sports in which they participate, and the players are thought to have had their phones and other devices confiscated as the investigation moves at pace. 

But whilst Tonali and Fagioli are thought to be preparing to enter plea bargains with the authorities in a bid to temper any potential sentencing, Zaniolo is believed to remain adamant he has not participated in the activities he stands accused of. 

As per Sky Sport Italia, Zaniolo is preparing to fight his case and is staunch in his statement that he only gambled on online blackjack and poker games. 

On Monday, his lawyer Gianluca Tonozzi shared that his client had 'never bet', before adding: 'it is possible he played card games such as poker and blackjack on illegal platforms, without knowng that they were (illegal)'. 

He also vowed to 'clarify everything'. 

Fagioli is currently working with the Turin prosecutors leading the investigation after admitting to a gambling addiction, and it was reported on Monday that Tonali is preparing to meet prosecutors himself in a bid to see any potential ban slashed in half. 

Mail Sport revealed on Friday that rather than rush to judgement, Villa are keen to understand fully the nature of allegations against their player and hear Zaniolo's explanation for themselves. 

The 24-year-old is not set to face action from his club whilst the investigation - which is currently looking into alleged illegal behaviour from over than 40 players - is ongoing. 

Zaniolo joined Villa over the summer in a loan move from Galatasaray, in part due to a strong relationship with the club's new sporting director Monchi. 

The pair previously worked together at Roma, and Villa have the option to purchase the winger for £40million which could become an obligation should a number of criteria be met. 

On Monday, Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti detailed the impact of the authorities' raid on the national team camp, claiming that Tonali and Zaniolo were 'absolutely distraught' after questioning. 

Spalletti said: ‘It was traumatic for the team because we had the authorities almost coming into the dressing room. Everyone was surprised. Everyone was upset. Some of us were able to give them a hug before they went home. 

‘The players (Tonali and Zaniolo) were absolutely distraught. When you are part of a national team, very strong ties and bonds are created. We’ve all been affected by this. It’s sad. It’s hurt us all.’ 

Italy will travel to Wembley to face England in a re-run of their Euro 2020 final on Tuesday evening.