Sandro Tonali faces being handed a lengthy ban from football with the news coming as a surprise to his club Newcastle United.
Sandro Tonali admitted to making bets on Milan to win games, in a hearing at the Italian Federation in Turin.
Tonali’s fellow Italian teammate Nicolo Fagiolo has already been given a worldwide ban of seven months for breaching betting rules.
The maximum punishment for Tonali is a three-year ban, but is likely to be reduced to 12 month, according to reports.
Sandro Tonali has admitted to betting on Milan to win matches after his agent Beppe Riso revealed he has a gambling addiction. He will receive support from the Italian FA. #NUFC yet to comment.
Maximum punishment is a three-year ban, but likely to be reduced to 12 months. pic.twitter.com/VvZdOp3kKi
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) October 18, 2023
As it stands, Tonali, whose agent admits he is fighting a gambling addiction, could still be selected by Newcastle for Saturday’s Premier League clash at Crystal Palace.
The FA say Sandro Tonali is still free to play at the weekend, but they will wait for outcome of Italian investigation before commenting further.
If Tonali has a gambling addiction, there is the possibility he has placed bets under their jurisdiction.
His agent, Giuseppe Riso, said: “He is playing his most important game – against betting addiction.
“He’s in shock, he’s very sad. He has to face this situation. He is training at the moment (at Newcastle). He told me he trained very well. He can play Saturday.”
Italian Federation President Gabriele Gravina added: “Gambling addiction is not a football problem, it’s a social plague. I assure you that whoever needs help, we will help. We need to put these people on a path to recovery. We will not abandon these boys. Ever.”
Sky Sports News’ North East reporter Keith Downie said on Tuesday (17 October): “Sandro Tonali arrived a few minutes ago at the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Italy.
“One of the players involved in the illegal betting investigation is Nicolo Fagioli of Juventus.
“Sky Sports Italy report he is set for a 7 month ban after helping with the investigation.
“To be clear: Fagioli set for 7 month ban. But you’d have to think Tonali is likely to face a ban too if he’s guilty of the same offence.
“Sandro Tonali’s gambling hearing at the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Turin has drawn to a close, lasting around two hours.”
He then said on Wednesday (18 October): “UPDATE: Sandro Tonali faces a lengthy ban from football.
“At his hearing yesterday, Sky Italy report the Newcastle midfielder admitted to betting on AC Milan to win matches while a player there.
“His agent yesterday revealed Tonali has a gambling addiction.
“The most severe punishment for this conduct is a three-year ban from football Worldwide.
However Tonali likely to be served a lesser ban for his help with the investigation.
“No comment from #NUFC at this stage, but understand this has come as a surprise to the club.”
Newcastle United then issued a statement at around 3:30pm on Wednesday: “Newcastle United can confirm that Sandro Tonali is subject to investigation by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in relation to illegal betting activity.
“Sandro is fully engaging with the investigation and will continue to cooperate with all relevant authorities.
“He and his family will continue to receive the club’s full support.
“Due to this ongoing process, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to offer further comment at this time.”
Signs of problem gambling
If you think you might have a gambling problem, help is available.
To start, answer these 10 questions with ‘yes’ or ‘no’:
Do you spend a lot of time thinking about gambling?
Are you spending more money on gambling as time goes on?
Have you ever tried to stop gambling, or cut down on or control your gambling, and not been able to?
Do you get restless or irritable if you try to cut down on gambling?
Do you gamble to escape from difficulties in your life, or to cheer yourself up?
Do you keep playing after losing money to try to win it back – often called ‘chasing losses’?
Have you lied to other people about how much time or money you’ve spent gambling, or how much you’ve lost?
Have you ever stolen money to fund gambling?
Has gambling affected your job, relationships, or home life?
Do you ask other people to lend you money when you’ve lost money through gambling?
If you’ve answered yes:
To 1 question – you might have a problem, and it would be a good idea to seek help.
To 3 questions – gambling probably feels like it’s a problem, and you should seek help.
To 5 or more questions – it’s likely gambling feels like it’s affecting every part of your life. You should get help as soon as possible.
“It’s the biggest problem in football.”
“It’s not alcohol or drugs, it’s gambling.”
Ray Parlour outlines how gambling addiction is a serious issue amongst footballers. 💷 pic.twitter.com/JQ1MWQwDga
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 18, 2023
Effects of problem gambling
While problem gambling itself doesn’t have physical symptoms, the negative effects can appear in many areas of life. These include:
reduced quality of life – having less money or free time
problems with your social life – avoiding seeing friends or going out
physical illnesses caused by spending more time gambling and less time being active, as well as potentially drinking more alcohol
financial problems – running up debts, and not having enough money for essentials
relationship problems and conflict at home – this can include arguments with family and friends, or conflict with your partner about financial difficulties
criminal activity – problem gambling doesn’t make you a criminal, but some people find themselves committing crimes to fund their gambling habit
unemployment or difficulties at work – if you gamble at work, or miss work due to gambling, it can lead to issues at work and potentially unemployment
Even if you haven’t experienced any of these issues yet, if your gambling is becoming a problem it’s possible these negative effects will happen in the future. It’s important to be mindful of the impact gambling could have on you or your family.
“It’s only growing”
Steven Caulker, who has previously struggled with a gambling addiction, says gambling amongst professional footballers is becoming a greater problem in the sport 📈 pic.twitter.com/tZbJAWC8ip
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 18, 2023
Fans reacted as Sandro Tonali faces a lengthy ban from football with the news reportedly coming as a surprise to Newcastle…
@C_Hatton90: If he’s banned, we just have to treat it like a long term injury, same as what Brentford have done with toney. We have Joelinton and Joe Willock coming back from injury who can fit straight in.
@utdgeorgie: Always thought it was weird that Milan let Tonali go…. I wonder if they knew something 🧐
@PaulMil61777895: Let’s get behind the lad and not hate he needs help he isn’t the 1st and definitely won’t be the last he’s a future star and needs our support 👍🖤🤍💪
@nwmagtoon: Massive investment in him for us to kick on and now this. Betting on his own side 🤦♂️ we’ve been absolutely shafted by Tonali, his agent and AC Milan!
@jak19178: Newcastle v AC Milan going to be interesting. And we thought the PSG match was highly charged!
@bwfc_elliot: But but but, he’s not getting a punishment like Toney did
@Bradders4711: Get well soon Tonali 🙏🏻
@whittick14: Why not help him with his addiction rather than punish him? Same with anyone else or any other player.
@whild13: The ac Milan sale needs investigating. Massive combo of its proven they were aware in any way.
@Bazro136: There’s absolutely no way Milan, Tonali & his agent didn’t know this was inevitable, Milan sold him far to easily with very little fuss
@LLDazDel: He looked distracted like , we all make mistakes he’s a young lad with loads of money & seria a is propa bent . He’ll be backed by the club & fans & will be twice the player we’ve seen so far when he’s back . My moneys on Sandro ! Toon Army . Toonali Toonali 👌
@JamesMakey1917: The big question is how much did AC Milan know when they sold him to Newcastle for huge £? Similar case was on verge of happening on deadline day with WH/City regards Paqueta, only for a whisper to alert City of his *alleged* betting activity at the final minute.. #compensation
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