Jewelry Store Used as Front to Hide Betting Activity

Francesco Luciani, assistant referee in Serie A and Serie B, is at the center of controversy after it was revealed he loaned €73,000 to Nicolò Fagioli, current Fiorentina midfielder, to help settle debts tied to an illegal betting ring. The funds were transferred across eight separate payments in 2022 to the jewelry store Elysium, which acted as a front for players involved in the scheme.

According to investigators, players faked purchases of luxury watches and jewelry—leaving cash and taking only receipts, or in some cases, paying double and actually collecting the item. The store served as an intermediary to cover debts owed to illegal operators, including Tommaso De Giacomo and Patrick Fizzera.

Although Luciani is not formally charged by Milan’s public prosecutor, his name appears in the case file. As a result, he withdrew from officiating the Sampdoria vs. Cittadella match in Serie B.

Top-Level Players Under Investigation

In addition to Fagioli, who was suspended for seven months in October 2023 for betting on football matches, several other high-profile players are under investigation, including Leandro Paredes, Ángel Di María, Junior Firpo, Federico Gatti of Juventus, and Radu Dragusin of Tottenham.

Leaked documents show exchanges between Luciani and Fagioli, where the referee admitted financial strain: “I’m broke, it’s official,” he told the player, who continued asking for money. Luciani even stated he might need to “sell his shares” to keep helping.

The referee may face disciplinary action from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), which requires all match officials to report any relationships with players they might officiate—something Luciani allegedly failed to do.

Illegal Betting, Money Laundering, and Deception

While some individuals may have been misled by Fagioli, who reportedly framed the dealings as business ventures involving luxury watches, the Guardia di Finanza in Milan has seized €1.5 million in assets from multiple suspects. The charges include illegal betting, money laundering, and financial misconduct.

Unless it is proven that the players placed bets on football matches, no sporting sanctions will be issued. However, criminal penalties may follow for those found to have participated in the unlicensed gambling operation.