Aston Villa soccer star Nicolo Zaniolo’s mother has been dragged into a police investigation into a huge illegal gambling ring.

Zaniolo and Italian stars Nicolo Fagiola and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali have been quizzed by police in Florence over match betting.

Now online news service Dillinger News says Zaniolo’s mother Francesca Costa has been swept up by the scandal.

The news service’s Fabrizio Corona claims that said that the footballer was supported “by his mother Francesca Costa , who apparently managed her son’s affairs and was aware of everything.”

Turin Prosecutor’s Office accuses Zaniolo, Juventus’ Nicolo Fagiola and Tonali were part of a gambling syndicate.

Zanioli and Tonali were quizzed when they returned to Italy for national squad training on 12th October.

Police are now going through hundreds of calls, messages and internet searches on the stars’ phones.

Zaniolo is accused of violation of article 24 of the Code of Sports Justice which deals with the “ban on betting and obligation to report”, according to local media.

Local media report he could be banned from playing for three years if found guilty.

Zaniolo and Tonali deny betting on football and said that they were only betting on blackjack and poker.

Fagioli, not part of the Italian national squad, has been accused of betting more than EUR one million (GBP 866,905), according to local media.

Zaniolo’s mum has previously been a victim of crime in three apparently separate cases, according to local media.

Police may now review the cases to see if they could be linked to the betting scandal.

First in 2019 outside her son’s house her Mini Cooper was stolen, only to be returned by the police a few days later.

Just months later she was robbed with thieves making off with cash, Rolex watches and the keys to her SUV.

Then her Mini itself was trashed by vandals in 2020 when it was completely dismantled.