Sandro Tonali, a midfielder for Newcastle, might be suspended from football pending the outcome of an inquiry for unlicensed betting.
Police questioned Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, the midfielder for Aston Villa, earlier this month on the investigation into unlawful betting.
Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli had previously received a 12-month sentence, of which five are suspended, as a result of the same investigation into his alleged violations of betting laws.
Tonali faces a three-year penalty if he is found guilty of violating Article 24 of the Sports Licencing Code, which deals with football betting. That might be cut in half if he accepts a plea deal.
The midfield player led the team in a lap of applause following the game, looking emotional as he walked off the bench during Newcastle’s 4-0 victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
If the Italy international is given a football suspension, it may be his final match for some time since a verdict in his case is anticipated shortly.
In light of worries about Financial Fair Play (FFP), Newcastle may be able to recruit any of these four free players in January if he is banned.
Zeka
The midfielder from Portugal, Xeka, was linked to Arsenal before deciding to sign with Rennes in 2022.
This season, the 28-year-old, a combative midfielder, only made eight appearances in Ligue 1 due to a chronic ankle ailment. However, he did return to participate in Rennes’ preseason.
He was linked to a summer transfer to Everton and Crystal Palace after winning Ligue 1 with Lille in 2021.
Mario Campana
Jose Campana
Former Crystal Palace midfielder Jose Campana was of interest to V
alencia and Atletico Madrid in 2022 after impressing at Levante.
But he left the Spanish club upon their relegation and is now a free agent.
Now recovered from injury, the 30-year-old could be of value to New
castle as a short-term pickup, having played over 35 games in five of his eight seasons at the club.
Luiz Gustavo
Some supporters would recall the times, perhaps ten years ago, when Luiz Gustavo was constantly linked to a transfer to Arsenal.
The 36-year-old spent stints with Al Nassr, where he played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Wolfsburg, Marseille, Fenerbahce, and most recently, Al Nassr.
He is presently a free agent after being released from the Saudi Pro League team because of regulations pertaining to international players. He could be disadvantaged by his advanced age and lack of match fitness.
Lingard, Jesse
Although Lingard and Tonali play distinct positions in midfield, he would be an additional midfield midfielder for Newcastle if Eddie Howe searches inside the team to fill Tonali’s precise position.
The former midfielder for Manchester United has been working out with Al Ettifaq and West Ham.
Bruno Guimaraes, a midfielder for Newcastle, may provide another problem for the Magpies in light of Sandro Tonali’s participation in an inquiry into illicit betting.
Tonali and his teammate Nicolo Zaniolo from Aston Villa were questioned by authorities last week about the investigation into unlawful betting.
Italian media state that Tonali has now participated in a protracted hearing about the accusations with federal prosecutor Giuseppe Chine.
According to the midfielder’s agent, he is now battling a gambling addiction. If it is discovered that he has placed a wager on a football game, he may be subject to a three-year international suspension, which would violate Article 24 of the sports justice code.
Any suspension, though, would be cut in half if he worked out a plea deal with the police.
As the inquiry is still underway, Tonali
The Athletic claims that a decision on his case may be made by December.
If Tonali is found guilty of a crime and thus suspended, he won’t be allowed to play for Eddie Howe’s team until that ban is over.
Newcastle would therefore have a deficiency in midfield players, and due to a contract provision, they would not be able to retain the services of another important midfield player.
Following the Magpies’ incredible 4-1 Champions League victory over PSG earlier this month, Brazil’s Guimaraes inked a new five-year deal with the team.
The 25-year-old may depart St. James’ Park at any time throughout his contract, but he is obligated to the team until 2028.
This is because Guimaraes has a release, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Featured Photo courtesy of Getty
The agency for Sandro Tonali disclosed that the Newcastle player is battling an addiction to gambling.
Nicolo Zaniolo and Tonali departed Italy’s training facility on Friday, having been notified that they were being investigated by Turin public prosecutors.
In a surprise search at the Coverciano site the previous day, police had questioned the two and taken electronic devices from them.
Both players had reportedly been questioned as part of a betting investigation, according to the Italian news agency ANSA.
Since then, Tonali’s agent has stated that his client is struggling with an addiction to gambling.
Giuseppe Riso, Tonali’s representative, stated at an earlier event held at the Italian embassy in London: “Sandro suffers from a gambling addiction.” He’s battling for it, and I have no doubt that he will prevail.
I’m hoping that Sandro’s life and the lives of many other young men who suffer from the same condition may be spared by this problem of excessive gambling.
“Sandro realised he needed to concentrate on this matter and confront his gambling addiction head-on with a resolute, strong stance.”
Italy has severe gambling laws, prohibiting sportsmen from placing bets on their own sports.
If found guilty of violating them, there might be a three-year ban.
On the other hand, assisting with the investigation can result in a less punishment.
According to The Mail Online, Tonali is adamant that he exclusively plays online games like poker and blackjack, despite early suspicions that he wagered on matches involving his previous team, AC Milan.
The article further
Featured Photo courtesy of Getty
Sandro Tonali is available for Newcastle United to start this weekend if they so want.
It was revealed last week that Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, an Aston Villa player, were questioned in Italian by officials on allegations of illicit betting.
Since then, there have been speculations over Tonali’s short-term future at Newcastle due to uncertainty around the possible transfer of any Italian bans to the UK.
Getty provided the featured image.
Newcastle United can start Sandro Tonali this weekend if they so want.
It was disclosed last week that Tonali and Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo were interrogated in Italian by authorities on claims of unlicensed betting.
Since then, there have been rumours regarding Tonali’s immediate future at Newcastle because of the unpredictability of any potential Italian bans being transferred to the UK.
“The Federation announces that, in the late afternoon of today, the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Turin has notified investigative acts to footballers Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo, who are currently meeting with the national team at the Federal Technical Centre of Coverciano,” the Italian Federation said in a statement shortly after the news was reported.
“The Federation has decided, also to protect them, to allow the two players to return to their respective clubs, regardless of the nature of the acts, considering that in this situation the players are not in the necessary condition to face the commitments scheduled in the coming days.”
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After the Newcastle midfielder was questioned by Italian officials while abroad on international duty, Sandro Tonali was left feeling “absolutely distraught.”
Tonali and more than forty other players are thought to have been a part of the Italian football betting scandal.
According to reports, Tonali was questioned by officials last week, along with his international teammate Nicolo Zaniolo, who plays for Aston Villa.
Since then, Italy manager Luciano Spalletti has opened up about Tonali’s response to the visit, saying that both he and Zaniolo were left “distraught” by the circumstances.
Before Italy’s much awaited Euro 2024 qualification match against England on Tuesday, Spalletti stated: “We had the authorities almost entering the changing room, which was terrible for the squad.
“Everyone was taken aback. Although we had to say goodbye to them for nearly an entire day, and some of us were even able to give them a hug before they left for home, everyone was heartbroken.
“The players themselves, Tonelli and Zaniolo, were inconsolable because being a member of a national team forges really close relationships and attachments. The enduring connections you form in the national team setup are the one thing you carry with you for the rest of your life beyond the outcomes.
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