Newcastle star investigated for betting, former Man United star involved

(NLDO) - Having been banned from competing for 10 months in 2023 for illegal betting, Sandro Tonali has just been prosecuted for this crime under the organized gambling provisions.

The former Italy and AC Milan midfielder has only played 45 games and is at risk of facing another legal challenge in Italy, although the possibility of him receiving another long-term ban is unlikely.

Sandro Tonali joins Newcastle from AC Milan for £60m in July 2023

According to reports from the Italian daily Corriere della Sera as well as the news agencies ANSA and AGI, the Milan prosecutor's office has drawn up a list of 12 players who have played and are playing in Serie A and are suspected of being involved in illegal betting activities, from December 2021 to October 2023, through analyzing calls to and from the phones of Tonali and Fagioli.

The 12 players are suspected of playing poker and betting on sports (other than football) on banned betting platforms. Prosecutors allege Sandro Tonali and compatriot Nicolo Fagioli - who was banned from international football for 10 months in 2023 for betting violations, including on football - were paid commissions to induce others to bet on these platforms.

Angel di Maria implicated in illegal betting while playing for Juventus

This list includes former Man United player Angel Di Maria (formerly with Juventus and currently playing for Benfica), Nicolo Fagioli (Fiorentina), Weston McKennie, Mattia Perin (Juventus), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Raoul Bellanova (Atalanta), Samuele Ricci (Torino), Alessandro Florenzi (AC Milan), Raoul Bellanova (Atalanta), Matteo Cancellieri (Parma), Cristian Buonaiuto (once played for Cremona).

Alessandro Florenzi plays for AC Milan and the Italian national team

Sandro Tonali playing for Italy in the Nations League in March 2025

The Milan prosecutor’s office has placed five people under house arrest on suspicion of illegal betting and money laundering. Authorities have also seized around £1.3m from a Milan jewellery store believed to be the centre of the operation.

However, none of the 12 players named were among those arrested. If found guilty, they are likely to face only fines, but that does not rule out separate sanctions from the Italian Football Federation.

Tonali has admitted to being addicted to gambling and missed out on helping Italy defend their Euro 2016 title last summer. He also missed most of Newcastle's 2023-24 campaign before returning to action in August.

Tonali - a £60m signing from AC Milan in July 2023 - has made 37 appearances this season and helped Newcastle win the Carabao Cup after beating Liverpool at Wembley last month.

Newcastle declined to comment on the new incident.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/sao-newcastle-lai-bi-dieu-tra-toi-ca-cuoc-cuu-sao-man-united-lien-quan-196250412082909048.htm