The Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been named as being part of an investigation by Italian prosecutors into illegal gambling — but the club have no concerns about any threat of new sporting sanctions.
Italian news agencies ANSA and AGI reported that Tonali and his fellow Italy international Nicolò Fagioli, who plays for Fiorentina, are among a dozen Serie A players suspected of using illicit betting platforms, though not of betting on football.
Newcastle are understood to have been assured the investigation relates to the original case that led to Tonali being banned from football for ten months and that he will not face further sanctions.
Roma’s midfielder Leandro Paredes and the Argentina winger Ángel Di María, who played for Juventus during the 2022-23 season, are among the other footballers named by news agencies as suspects in an investigation by prosecutors in Milan.
A number of players still at Juventus — Weston McKennie, Mattia Perin, Raoul Bellanova and Samuele Ricci — are also among those named as being investigated for poker games and betting on sporting events on the illegal gambling platforms. They could be fined if charges are proved.
In a statement, the Milan prosecutor’s office announced that it had placed under house arrest “for illegal gambling activities and money laundering” five people who organised and managed the clandestine platforms from a jewellery store in the city.
Sandro Tonali interview
The footballers are not among those arrested and if found guilty would only face a small punishment, most likely a fine, from the criminal case, though they could face sanctions from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), according to the agencies.
Tonali was banned for ten months in October 2023 for betting on football matches, including those involving his old team AC Milan while he was still playing for them.
Both Tonali and Fagioli said they were addicted to gambling and have sought treatment.
