US star McKennie, Tonali, Fagioli among 13 players being investigated for gambling

MILAN >> United States midfielder Weston McKennie is among 13 soccer players being investigated for illegal online betting in Italy, according to widespread media reports.

A new investigation by Milan prosecutors stems from evidence given by Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Fagioli in 2023. Both then served lengthy bans, ruling them out for most of last season, after agreeing plea bargains that also included therapy for a gambling addiction.

Juventus midfielder Fagioli — currently on loan at Fiorentina — was banned for seven months after admitting to betting on matches, while Newcastle’s Tonali received a longer suspension of 10 months as his bets also included his team’s games — at the time AC Milan.

The duo are also named in the new investigation, along with Fagioli’s then-Juventus teammate McKennie and nine other current or former Serie A players, as well as Leeds defender Junior Firpo.

Iamaleava gone from Tennessee as Heupel says no one is ‘bigger than the Power T’

Tennessee is moving forward without quarterback Nico Iamaleava, and coach Josh Heupel said Saturday he had a simple message to the remaining Volunteers.

No one is bigger than the Power T, including the coach himself.

Even now in the different landscape that is college football.

“This program has been around for a long time with a lot of great coaches and a lot of great players that laid the cornerstone pieces, the legacy, the tradition that is Tennessee football,” Heupel said. “It’s going to be around a long time after I’m done and after they’re gone, and that’s what special about being here is that there is a legacy and a tradition that is so rich and a logo that’s recognized not just across the nation but around the world too.”

Heupel called losing Iamaleava an “unfortunate” situation.” He thanked Iamaleava for his work while at Tennessee. Asked about the timing without notice just before the spring game Saturday, Heupel said there’s never an easy time to lose a player. Heupel told his coaches Friday that he’s lost players at the start of training camp or during the season with adversity a chance to either bring teams together or divide them.

Iamaleava had been practicing all spring and expected to be the starting quarterback for a second straight season. Asked when Heupel knew the Vols would not have Iamaleava moving forward, the coach said Friday morning when the quarterback was a “no show” with no communication with Heupel. The Tennessee coach refused to get into details about any discussions with Iamaleava and his representatives.

Piastri on pole and Norris only sixth in qualifying for F1’s Bahrain Grand Prix

Oscar Piastri took pole in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday as his McLaren teammate and Formula 1 standings leader Lando Norris could only manage sixth.

George Russell was a surprisingly strong challenger and placed second for Mercedes, .168 of a second off Piastri’s time. However, a penalty for a team mix-up meant he won’t start Sunday’s race alongside Piastri.

A ruling issued late Saturday dropped Russell one place because Mercedes released his car from the garage to the pit lane before it had officially reopened following a red flag. Charles Leclerc, who qualified third for Ferrari, will start second.

Russell’s 18-year-old rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli was also dropped one spot from fourth to fifth.

— The Associated Press