Newcastle break silence on Sandro Tonali as £55m star faces ban over gambling addiction
NEWCASTLE have released a statement regarding Sandro Tonali’s potential ban for breaching betting regulations.
The statement reads: “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.
GettyTonali is subject to investigation by the Italian FA[/caption]
“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.”
Tonali is subject to a wider investigation into several high-profile Serie A players allegedly breaching betting rules.
Both Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo were sent home from the Italy squad after being questioned by Italian police ahead of their games against Malta and England.
Tonali and Zaniolo are at the centre of the investigation alongside Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli.
Fagioli has already been handed a ban from football for seven months by the Italian Football Federation.
The Juventus man has received a “12-month disqualification,” five of which “will be commuted to alternative prescriptions.”
The midfielder has been fined nearly £11,000 and must “participate in a therapeutic plan lasting at least six months and in a cycle of at least 10 public meetings, to be held within five months.”
Should Tonali be found guilty of breaching Italian regulations, he could face a ban of up to three years.
Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso confirmed that his client, Tonali, is a gambling addict and hopes that the scandal could be the wake up call to “save his life”.
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