The Italian Football Federation has issued a 10-month suspension to Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali for his involvement in betting, which included wagers on matches involving his former club AC Milan. Tonali, aged 23, placed multiple bets before joining Newcastle in July, marking a £56 million transfer that made him the most expensive Italian player in history.
This ban will see him sidelined for the remainder of the Premier League season and the potential exclusion from the European Championship next summer if Italy qualifies. He is the second Italian player to face a football ban related to a betting scandal that came to light during the recent international break.
Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli received a seven-month suspension from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) earlier this month and agreed to undergo at least six months of therapy to address his gambling issues. The probe revealed that Fagioli had accumulated debts exceeding three million euros and was exposed to threats from those involved in organizing his bets.
Tonali’s agent has indicated that his client has a gambling addiction. Despite the possibility of a three-year ban, Tonali cooperated with investigators. He, along with midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, who is on loan at Aston Villa from Turkish club Galatasaray, had to leave Italy’s training camp on October 12 after being informed of an ongoing investigation by Italian prosecutors.
Tonali recently made a substitute appearance in Newcastle’s 1-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. He has participated in 12 matches for Newcastle, and manager Eddie Howe has expressed the club’s full support for him, affirming their commitment to his long-term involvement.
The Italian betting scandal originated when Fabrizio Corona, a disreputable paparazzo, alleged that Fagioli was dealing with a gambling addiction. Corona, known for his celebrity gossip in Italy, has spent time in prison for obtaining photographs illegally and using them to extort football clubs and players. He has also named other players who he claims were involved in football betting, including Italy internationals Stephan El Shaarawy and Lazio defender Nicolo Casale, who is on the fringes of the national team.
Corona is under investigation for defamation following legal action initiated by El Shaarawy and Casale. Italy and Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella has stated that he will similarly defend himself against such allegations.
The Premier League has also faced its share of betting scandals, with prolific forward Ivan Toney of Brentford being banned in May for eight months due to violations of the Football Association’s betting rules. Toney, who was fined £50,000 for 232 breaches of the betting regulations, is not permitted to play until January 17 next year.