Sandro Tonali agent delivers update on Newcastle United star amid illegal betting scandal
The agent of Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali has confirmed that the Italian midfielder is battling a gambling addition as he faces a police investigation and potential ban from football.
Last Friday, the 23-year-old was released from the Italy national team camp, along with Aston Villa's Nicolo Zaniolo, over a probe by Italian prosecutors into alleged illegal betting.
After being questioned by police, Tonali briefly returned to Newcastle on Monday and trained at the club, but he has since travelled back to Italy to attend a hearing at the prosecutor's office at the Court of Turin on Tuesday afternoon.
Recent reports have claimed that Tonali is seeing a therapist for a gambling addiction, and he is expected to denounce himself in front of prosecutors in an attempt to see his potential lengthy ban from football cut short.
Under regulations in Italy, Tonali and Zaniolo could face a three-year ban if they are found guilty of breaching betting rules.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed on Tuesday that Juventus and Italy midfielder Nicolo Fagioli has been handed a seven-month ban from football as part of the same probe into illegal betting, after agreeing a plea bargain with Italian prosecutors.
In response to Tonali and Zaniolo's withdrawal from the Italy national team squad, the FIGC stated that both players are «not in the necessary condition» to represent their country in Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta – who Italy beat 4-0 on Saturday – and England on Tuesday.
Speaking at an event at the Italian embassy in London, FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said: «As a human being I feel for the two players, they are like children to me. We should not condemn these young boys. Gambling addiction is not a football
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