Newcastle’s Midfielder, Sandro Tonali, Faces Possible Suspension for Betting Violation
Sandro Tonali, signed by Newcastle United for a staggering £55 million in July, currently faces a potential suspension for a betting violation. The Italian Prosecutor’s Office and the Italian Football Federation have initiated an investigation into his alleged breaches of betting rules.
This case emerged following a recent Italian football betting investigation, in which Tonali was one of several named players. Notably, on Tuesday, the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) handed Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli a seven-month suspension for similar violations.
In response to these allegations, Newcastle United released an official statement confirming their awareness of the ongoing investigation. The club’s statement reads, “Newcastle United can confirm that Sandro Tonali is under investigation by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and the Italian Football Federation [FIGC] in relation to illegal betting activity. Sandro is actively cooperating with the investigation, and he and his family will continue to receive the club’s full support. Due to this ongoing process, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to offer further comments at this time.”
Tonali, who scored in the Magpies’ opening-day 5-1 victory against Aston Villa and has since made six more appearances in the Premier League, reportedly admitted to betting on matches involving his former club, AC Milan, during a hearing held on Tuesday.
This betting scandal also led to the return of Tonali and fellow Italy international Nicolo Zaniolo, who plays for Aston Villa while on loan from Galatasaray, to their respective clubs from Italy’s training camp. Both players are currently under investigation for their alleged involvement in illegal betting activities.
Sandro Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, has made a statement regarding the situation, shedding light on the player’s struggles with gambling addiction. Riso stated, “Sandro is shocked. I hope this experience will help save his life and the lives of others with the same addictions, including all those young people who are starting to struggle with this addiction. Sandro is engaged in the most important game of his life: the battle against gambling addiction. He has won many big games in his life, and I’m sure he’ll win this one too.”
In a related development, Italy teammate Nicolo Fagioli received a seven-month ban from the FIGC for his betting rule breaches. The FIGC suspended five months of his one-year suspension and fined him €12,500 (£10,848). Fagioli also agreed to a therapy plan lasting at least six months to address his gambling addiction, as announced by the FIGC.