ITALIAN SOB

Spalletti: Traumatic time after stars removed over bet scandal

- NEIL MCLEMAN

LUCIANO SPALLETTI admits his players have suffered a "traumatic" build-up to facing England after two stars were removed from his squad over a gambling storm.

And the Italy coach branded betting a "form of temptation" and a "vice".

Newcastle's Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo of Aston Villa (right) are under police investigation following a raid on the Azzurri's training camp last week.

Reports in Italy yesterday claimed that the Toon's 23-year-old £55million summer signing from AC Milan has admitted placing bets on football matches and risks a ban of up to three years unless he collaborates with authorities.