Scandal Unveiled: Newcastle's Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa's Nicolo Zaniolo Ousted from Italy Squad Under Prosecutor Investigation

Sandro Tonali from Newcastle and Nicolo Zaniolo from Aston Villa have been dropped from the Italy squad by the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office's investigation. The Italian Federation has officially announced that they will not be playing in the upcoming matches against Malta and England.

Italian news agency ANSA reported that both players had been questioned as part of a betting probe.

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Tonali and Zaniolo have been permitted to return to the UK. The specific details of the investigation were not given by the FIGC. However, the federation stated that both midfielders were allowed to go back home due to their mental and physical condition, which the federation deemed unfit to participate in the forthcoming matches.

The Turin prosecutors notified the players about the investigation while they were at the national team's training center in Coverciano, according to a statement issued by the Italian Federation on Thursday. The statement mentioned that the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office conducted investigations on Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, who are currently undergoing training with the national team at the Coverciano Federal Training Centre.

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Both players have transferred to the Premier League this summer. However, due to their current condition, they are unable to participate in the upcoming matches. Therefore, the Federation has taken the decision to send them back to their respective clubs, ensuring their safety.

Italy will be facing Malta on Saturday, followed by a match against England at Wembley on Tuesday as part of the European Championship qualifying. Tonali, 23, made a move from AC Milan to Newcastle in July, while Zaniolo, 24, joined Aston Villa on loan from Turkey's Galatasaray in August.

We News has contacted Newcastle and Aston Villa.