Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is once again under investigation for illegal betting activity in Italy, less than a year after being suspended for breaching gambling rules.
According to Italian news outlet Corriere Della Sera, Tonali is among 12 players under the spotlight, and Milan prosecutors are leading the investigation.
The 24-year-old recently served a 10-month ban from the Italian Football Federation for placing bets on football matches.
Once found guilty, the Football Association (FA) in England also got in on the act, passing down a suspended two-month ban and a £17,380 fine.
Tonali had to go through a mandatory therapeutic programme to help him recover from a gambling addiction.
Less than a year later, the midfielder is in the headlines again for a fresh betting probe.
Tonali reportedly became a suspect after authorities analysed electronic devices belonging to the Newcastle ace and Fiorentina’s Nicolo Fagioli, who served a ban for betting offences alongside him.
Data retrieved from the analyses allegedly led prosecutors to at least 12 other players, including Weston McKennie, Nicolo Zaniolo, Leandro Paredes and Raoul Bellanova.
The case reportedly involves illegal betting on poker and other sports – aside from football – through banned gambling platforms.
Milan prosecutors are yet to make an arrest, but five individuals were placed under house arrest earlier today in connection with ‘illegal gambling activities and money laundering’.
They’re not professional footballers, but authorities seized £1.3 million from a jewellery store in Milan, which is suspected of being at the heart of the operations.
Tonali previously admitted to breaching FA betting rules in May 2024. He placed four bets – including one on Newcastle – between September and October 2023.
The bets totalled more than €100,000 (£85,600).
According to the FA’s regulatory commission, the charges have had a ‘profound effect’ on Tonali. He reportedly expressed remorse and a strong desire to avoid repeating his mistakes.
Tonali has been a key player for Newcastle, helping the club end their 70-year trophy drought when they beat Liverpool 2-1 in the League Cup final in March.
The Italian midfielder is the subject of concrete interest from Juventus, who have made him their primary target for the summer transfer window.
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