Sources tell ESPN that Sandro Tonali is ready for Newcastle United’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Saturday and will be considered for selection by manager Eddie Howe, even though he is being investigated in Italy for illegal betting.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who joined Juventus from AC Milan this summer for £55 million ($66.8 million), was taken out of Italy’s team for their Euro 2024 qualifying games against Malta and England last Thursday after police told the Italian Football Federation that he was involved in a betting probe. Nicolò Zaniolo, a player for Aston Villa who is on loan at Galatasaray this season, was also taken out of the group.
There are rumors going around in Italy that Tonali will be banned from football for a long time because he admitted to betting on AC Milan games while he was a player for the club.
Giuseppe Riso, Tonali’s agent, said on Tuesday that the player is “fighting against a gambling addiction” and that this has left him “shocked, shaken, and sad.”
Newcastle is still waiting for all the details of the investigation into Tonali, so the club put out a statement on Wednesday to stop the rumors about the player.
It stated: “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 involved in the investigation and will keep working with all the right people. There will still be full support from the club for him and his family.Sandro and Newcastle United can’t say anything else right now because this process is still going on.
According to sources speaking to ESPN, Tonali is still being investigated and has not been punished yet. He is still open for selection, and boss Howe will decide if he plays in upcoming games.
This week, Juventus player Nicolo Fagioli was fined £10,850 and banned for 12 months, with 5 months delayed. He did this because he broke betting rules. Fagiolo, who is 22 years old, will also go to treatment for his gaming problem.
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