Newcastle's Sandro Tonali is 'gambling addict' admits agent

With the Italian authorities stepping up their probe into a betting scandal that has engulfed Serie A, public comments issued by Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, suggest the Magpies’ record signing has admitted to gambling problems and is ready to cooperate with the investigation in his homeland.

Media reports in Italy suggest that Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli, who was the first person to be interviewed by investigators, is set to be issued with a seven-month ban from football after cooperating with inquiries.

Read more: Sandro Tonali back in training with Newcastle amid betting probe

That represents a much-reduced penalty from the 36-month ban that is the maximum that could have been imposed under Italian FA regulations.

The exact nature of the offences Tonali has been charged with remains unclear, and Riso insists the midfielder is still available to play for Newcastle when they return to Premier League action with a home game against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The 23-year-old was sent home from the Italian national camp last Thursday after he and his team-mate, Nicolo Zaniolo, were interviewed by police officials, with a number of electronic devices also being seized at the same time.

Tonali has been training at Newcastle’s Darsley Park training complex this week, but has remained in regular dialogue with the Italian authorities and his legal representatives. He is also understood to have held face-to-face talks with Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, who must decide whether the midfielder is in a fit mental state to be considered for selection at the weekend, and other senior Magpies officials.

Sandro Tonali (Image: PA MEDIA)

If Tonali is found guilty of gambling on matches that did not involve his own team, it is possible that he could be issued with a reduced ban if, like Fagioli, he cooperates with the investigation process. However, if it is proved that he gambled on matches involving his own club when he played for either Brescia or AC Milan, a subsequent ban would be much more severe. Any penalty would apply to all UEFA or FIFA-affiliated competitions, and would therefore prevent the £53m summer signing from playing for Newcastle.

Tonali’s agent was questioned on the developing situation during an event at the Italian embassy earlier today. Rosi conceded that his client had issues with gambling, but was quick to praise the way in which Newcastle have supported him in the last few days.

Rosi said: “Sandro is playing an important game against gambling addiction – he will win this one too. I’d like to thank Newcastle, who have always stood by Sandro.

“He is in shock, shaken and sad. I hope that this experience saves his life and that of many others, that it helps those who fall into the same habit as him.

“Sandro is training, and on Saturday, he could also play. He understood that he has to face this problem in a strong, determined way. The club is absolutely at this moment by his side.”

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It has been suggested that up to 40 players could eventually be implicated in the ongoing investigation, although Zaniolo, who was questioned at the same time as Tonali and released from international duty along with his team-mate, appears to be protesting his innocence when it comes to the most serious charges that have been aired.

The midfielder, who joined Aston Villa on loan in the summer, has strenuously denied gambling on football matches, but admitted to placing online bets on poker and blackjack.

Zaniolo’s lawyer, Gianluca Tognozzi, said: “Nicolo never placed a bet, he assured me of this. It is possible he played card games like poker and blackjack on illegal online platforms, but without knowing that they were illegal. We will clarify everything.”