Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is set to enter a plea bargain with prosecutors in Rome after admitting to gambling on football matches involving his former club, AC Milan. This revelation comes as part of a wider investigation into a betting scandal involving Italian football players.
Tonali self-reported his violations to the Italian Football Federation (FAGC) during a raid of the Italian national team's training facility. His agent also revealed that the 23-year-old has admitted to a gambling addiction.
Given Tonali's willingness to cooperate with prosecutors and the FAGC, he may face a similar ban to that of Juventus' Nicolo Fagioli, who was recently handed a seven-month ban from all forms of football for breaching Italian betting laws.
However, Tonali's sanction might not be as lenient as Fagioli's. Allegedly, Tonali placed bets on AC Milan while still a player at the club, despite reports claiming he only placed bets on the team when he was not in the matchday squad.
Legal representation and potential ban
Tonali's legal team will aim to reduce a potential worst-case scenario ban of four years to 12 months, citing the player's willingness to cooperate and self-report. A ban would likely rule Tonali out for the rest of the season, a significant setback for Newcastle, who signed him for £55 million in July.
Despite being the subject of a major investigation, Tonali was allowed to play for his current club on Saturday, featuring in Newcastle’s 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Newcastle fans showed their support for the player after the final whistle at St. James’ Park. His agent, Giuseppe Riso, expressed hope that the sanction would be fair, stating, "We are hoping the sanction will be correct."
The betting scandal involving Tonali and other Italian players has sent shockwaves through the football world. The outcome of Tonali's plea bargain and the potential ban could have significant implications for his career and Newcastle United's season. As the investigation continues, fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely.
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