Newcastle learn expected Sandro Tonali punishment after fresh gambling investigation
- Sandro Tonali named in reports of gambling investigation in Italy
- Newcastle midfielder served a ten-month suspension last year
- Further sporting sanctions not likely due to the nature of case
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali is part of a fresh investigation into illegal gambling but the club are confident that their star midfielder won't face another playing ban.
Tonali was sidelined for ten months in October 2023, only a matter of weeks on from Newcastle making him the most expensive Italian player of all time, after admitting to placing bets on football while playing for former club AC Milan. He later spent several months being treated for gambling addiction.
The new investigation, reported by The Times, relates to the original case for which Tonali has already served a suspension. He is not the only player named by Italian prosecutors, with the focus of this investigation on an illegal platform used to gamble. Bets in question were also not placed on football.
After being assured about the nature of the investigation, Newcastle are said to have "no concerns" about Tonali facing further sporting sanctions, although he and others could be fined if found guilty of illegal gambling from a criminal perspective. Prosecutors have confirmed that five arrests have been made, but no players suspected of wrongdoing are in custody.
Angel Di Maria, Leandro Paredes, Nicolo Fagioli, Weston McKennie, Mattia Perin and a handful of others have been named in the reports from Italian news agencies.
Tonali has thrived for Newcastle since returning from suspension in the early weeks of this season, with the club going on to win the Carabao Cup to break a 56-year major trophy drought and put themselves in an excellent position for Champions League qualification.
But that form has also seen his future with the Magpies become the subject of speculation amid rumoured transfer interest from Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid. It has even been claimed in Europe that Tonali has informed Newcastle he would prefer to leave.
In turn, Newcastle have been linked Crystal Palace No 10 Eberechi Eze and versatile but underused Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott.
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