Sandro Tonali, who recently joined Newcastle in the summer, is facing a possible suspension of up to 12 months after admitting his involvement in illegal football betting, as reported in Italy.
This ongoing investigation has identified three players in total, including Nicolo Zaniolo of Aston Villa and Nicolo Fagioli from Juventus.
Fagioli took the initiative to cooperate with investigators after the news broke last week, resulting in a relatively lenient seven-month suspension from football. This is a noteworthy departure from the typical minimum three-year ban, reflecting Fagioli’s admission of guilt and his acknowledgment of struggling with a gambling addiction.
On Tuesday, Tonali’s agent confirmed that the 23-year-old midfielder is also grappling with gambling issues and is actively cooperating with the authorities. Italian regulations clearly prohibit athletes from betting on the sports in which they are actively involved.
According to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport, Tonali might face a more prolonged suspension than Fagioli if it’s found that he placed bets on his former club, AC Milan. Such actions could be viewed as a form of sporting misconduct under Italy’s Sports Justice Code. It’s worth noting that Tonali has had two meetings with prosecutor Giuseppe Chine, the most recent of which occurred on Tuesday.
While Tonali’s transfer to Newcastle might distance him from direct influence on Milan’s matches, there is a concern that such gambling could be seen as an aggravating factor, potentially leading to a more severe punishment. Tonali’s cooperation may open the possibility of a reduced ban through a plea agreement, although any discrepancies between his statements and evidence from his devices could add complexity to the situation.
The investigators confiscated the electronic devices of Zaniolo, Tonali, and Fagioli as part of the inquiry, and they also conducted a raid at the Italian national team’s training camp in their pursuit of interviews with Zaniolo and Tonali. Italy’s head coach, Luciano Spalletti, described the raid as “traumatic,” and he mentioned that his players were deeply affected by the investigation.
In addition to the potential suspension, Tonali may be subject to additional measures similar to those imposed on Fagioli, such as therapy to address gambling addiction and meetings with young players to discuss the repercussions of illegal betting in football.
In Short
the unfolding controversy involving Sandro Tonali, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Nicolo Fagioli sheds light on the serious repercussions of football betting in professional sports. With potential suspensions on the horizon, the significance of gambling addiction and the legal ramifications under Italy’s Sports Justice Code come into focus. This situation underscores the importance of enforcing strict regulations to maintain the integrity of sports while also addressing the challenges faced by athletes dealing with addiction. As developments continue, it remains to be seen how this issue will impact the careers of these talented football players and the broader world of professional sports.
Sandro Tonali
Sandro Tonali is a 23-year-old Italian midfielder who recently made a high-profile move to Newcastle during the summer transfer window. He has quickly become a key figure in the football world, not only for his on-field skills but also due to his involvement in an ongoing controversy related to illegal gambling.
Tonali, like many professional athletes, is subject to strict regulations surrounding sports betting. Italian law prohibits athletes from placing bets on the sports in which they actively compete. This is where Tonali’s situation took a concerning turn. He admitted to investigators that he had placed bets on football matches, which could result in a suspension of up to 12 months.
What’s particularly noteworthy about Tonali’s case is the possibility that he may have placed bets on his former club, AC Milan. This could be seen as a breach of Italy’s Sports Justice Code, constituting an act of sporting misconduct.
However, Tonali has taken a proactive approach to addressing this issue. His agent confirmed that the young midfielder is actively cooperating with the authorities and has acknowledged his struggles with a gambling addiction. His cooperation may lead to a potential reduction in the suspension duration under a plea agreement. Nonetheless, there’s concern about inconsistencies between his statements and any evidence found on his electronic devices.
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