Italy’s most expensive footballer in history, Sandro Tonali, has been banned from playing for ten months due to his involvement in illegal betting activities.
“The plea agreement has a duration of 18 months, with a 10-month playing ban and eight months of undergoing treatment for gambling addiction,” announced Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). “Tonali must also appear publicly at least 16 times to speak about his experiences.”
Tonali’s suspension is considered the lightest possible due to his sincerity and cooperation with the investigating authorities. If he had not cooperated, the Italian national team player would have faced a three-year ban. The FIGC’s penalty means that Tonali’s 2023-2024 season ends, and he no longer has a chance to participate in Euro 2024 if the Italian national team qualifies for the tournament in Germany.
“Gambling addiction is a social problem,” added Gabriele Gravina. “We must ensure that young players can make a positive return. The association will not abandon them. Tonali will go through rehabilitation and speak honestly about his experiences.”
In the summer of 2023, Tonali left Milan to join Newcastle for a transfer fee of $75 million. With Tonali out of action long-term, Newcastle reportedly targets Scott McTominay from Manchester United as a replacement in the central midfield position.
Tonali’s case came to light when fellow countryman Nicolo Fagioli (Juventus) was investigated for betting and implicated Tonali. Fagioli later confessed to having a “betting addiction” and stated that Tonali introduced him to illegal betting apps.
Fagioli reached an agreement with FIGC and received a seven-month ban. The 22-year-old player admitted to being threatened after accumulating a debt of over three million dollars and having to borrow money from some of his teammates. Another Italian player, Nicolo Zaniolo, denied betting on football matches and claimed only to play poker and blackjack. On October 27, he will be interrogated by the Turin prosecutor’s office. If he is not found to have bet on football, Zaniolo may escape a playing ban and be allowed to participate in Euro 2024 with the Italian national team.
