Newcastle's Sandro Tonali at heart of fresh betting probe for illegal betting

IMAGO

Newcastle United’s midfield maestro Sandro Tonali is once again under investigation for illegal betting activity in his native country of Italy.

The 24-year-old, who previously plied his trade for Brescia and AC Milan, was handed a 10-month ban by the Italian Football Federation for placing bets on football matches which he served recently.

To learn more about responsible gambling, visit our responsible gambling in sports betting page which also offers resources and advice on where to seek help if needed. 

According to Corriere Della Sera, an Italian news outlet, Tonali is among 12 players that are being probed by Milanese prosecutors.

After previously being found guilty, the English Football Association passed down a suspended two-month ban from football for the Magpies midfielder and handed the Toon star a £17,380 fine for his illicit activity.

The Italian international, who has been capped 23 times by the Azzurri, had to go through a compulsory therapeutic programme in order to try and help him recover from a gambling addiction.

After being banned in May 2024 and returning to action in August 2024, less than a year has passed for a fresh betting investigation to take place. The case reportedly involves illegal betting on poker and other sports – not solely football – through gambling platforms that are banned.

Tonali seemingly became a suspect after authorities had analysed electronic devices belonging to both he and Fiorentina’s Nicolo Fagioli, who served a ban for betting offences alongside him previously. Data retrieved from the analyses allegedly led prosecutors to at least another 11 players.

These include American midfielder Weston McKennie who plays for Juventus, Roma’s Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes, Italian right-back Raoul Bellanova of Atalanta and Italian midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo who plays for Fiorentina, on loan from Turkish giants Galatasaray.

The Milan prosecutors are yet to make an arrest, but five individuals have been placed under house arrest in connection with ‘illegal gambling activities and money laundering’.

Although not professional footballers, the individuals in question had £1.3m from a jewellery store in Milan seized by the authorities which is suspected of being at the heart of the gambling operations.

Tonali had previously admitted to breaching the Football Association’s betting rules in May 2024, after placing four bets – one of which was on Newcastle – between September and October 2023 after joining the Geordies in July 2023.

The bets are said to have totalled more than €100,000 (£85,600). According to the FA’s regulatory commission, the charges have had a “profound effect” on the Italian who is said to have expressed a strong desire to avoid repeating his previous mistakes.

Having scored the opener in a wonderful 4-1 win over Manchester United at St James’ Park on Sunday and also helping the Toon to their first major honour in 70 years as they won the Carabao Cup in March, the Italian is cementing himself as a key cog in this Newcastle United machine.

But, despite Juventus having a player or two involved in the investigation, the Old Lady are apparently preparing a bid for the Magpies midfielder who is reportedly their primary transfer target in the summer transfer window.