Sandro Tonali investigation: Will Newcastle United midfielder face fresh ban amid latest scandal?

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is again in the headlines - and again, not for his footballing exploits. The Magpies’ midfield maestro from Milano has been wowing Premier League audiences with his all-action, speedy but silky performances at the heart of Eddie Howe’s midfield in recent months, but it is the betting scandal which rocked his, and Newcastle United’s world, that has again reared its ugly head.

Reports in the Italian media, regurgitated by the UK national press, have stated Tonali has again been named in a ‘fresh’ investigation by Milan prosecutors in relation to gambling activity which saw the former AC Milan midfielder banned from football for 10 months last season. But what do we really know about it? NewcastleWorld did some digging - and here’s some info that adds flesh to the bones of seemingly explosive reports.

Sandro Tonali investigation: What we know

Italian news outlets ANSA and AGI claim Nicolo Fagioli, of Fiorentina, along with Tonali, are two of 12 former or current Serie A players suspected of being involved in, or using illegal gambling platforms. It is reported the activity does not relate to betting on football, of which Fagioli and Tonali were sanctioned in 2023, but is in relation to poker games and betting on other sporting events.

Roma's Leandro Paredes, ex-Leeds United midfielder Weston McKennie and former Manchester United man Ángel Di María are among those named as suspects in an investigation by prosecutors in Milan. Mattia Perin, Raoul Bellanova and Samuele Ricci are also mentioned as potential suspects.

Five people have been placed under house arrest in relation to the investigation with Milan prosecutor's doing so due to "illegal gambling activities and money laundering". None of the five are understood to be any of the footballers named.

Further to this, the Times reports: "The footballers... if found guilty would only face a small punishment, most likely a fine, from the criminal case, though they could face sanctions from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), according to the agencies."

What ban did Sandro Tonali get?

Tonali was banned in October 2023 for 10 months for betting on football matches. That included matches in which he was involved while an AC Milan player. That activity happened before he was a Newcastle United footballer.

Tonali was also sanctioned by the Football Association in May for betting activities when he was at Newcastle. Their statement read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali for misconduct in relation to The FA’s Betting Rules. The FA charged the midfielder with 50 breaches of FA Rule E8 for placing bets on football matches between 12 August 2023 and 12 October 2023, and he admitted to this. The independent Regulatory Commission imposed a two-month suspension from all football and football-related activity, which is suspended until the end of the 2024/25 season pending any further breaches of The FA’s Betting Rules, as well as a £20,000 fine and warning.”

Sandro Tonali investigation: Will he face a fresh ban?

As we understand it, these reports of a ‘fresh’ investigation seem slightly misleading. It is not believed to be a new investigation, more a furthering of the same investigation that started around two years ago.

And given this is a prosecutor’s office investigation at present - and there’s no suggesting it will go any further to the Federazione Italiana Guioco Calcio (FIGC) at this stage, then there is no suggestion at all this will result in a footballing sanction. Tonali has, of course, already been sanctioned by the FIGC for his betting activities relating to football while in Italy in 2023, then by the FA for any activities up until his ban while in England, which ran concurrently. A fine, if any investigation leads to criminal charges, is most likely, we understand.

It’s important to add, Tonali is not one of the fresh names listed today and those who have been come from the interviews given by Tonali and Fagioli during the initial part of the investigation, and subsequent forensic analysis of their devices.