17 October 2023 , 14:55
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Sandro Tonali has a gambling addiction according to his agent - as the Newcastle midfielder faces a police probe and potential ban.
The £54million star is back training on Tyneside after being sent home from the Italian squad training last week when the Turin prosecutor opened an investigation into players allegedly betting. Tonali, 23, was Newcastle's big summer signing and faces talks with boss Eddie Howe and club lawyers to outline his position.
The club is said to have given Tonali plenty of support in recent days. But some major questions will have to be answered after agent Guiseppe Riso admitted he had a "gambling addiction".
Newcastle may be asking how they didn't know of the problem during research about a big money signing, or whether AC Milan had an inkling of the potential probe before they decided to cash in on a prize asset this summer. They will have to work out a strategy should he be banned from playing, with conflicting reports in Italy on whether that is likely.
Tonali is available to play this weekend against Crystal Palace, and Newcastle also face Dortmund in the Champions League next week. Guiseppe Riso said: "Sandro is playing his most important game - against betting addiction. He’s in shock, very sad.
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"He has to face this. He is training at the moment. He can play Saturday. He knows he made a mistake and is quite shaken. But he understands that he must face the matter with determination. Newcastle have always been close to him. He is playing the most important game of his career, that of gambling addiction, but I am sure he will win it.
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"Sandro is in shock, but he is continuing to train and maybe on Saturday he will even be able to play. I hope this gambling addiction issue will help to save Sandro’s life as well as many other young guys affected by the same problem. Sandro understood that he has to focus on this issue and face gambling addiction with a strong, determined approach."
Tonali appeared a troubled figure after he joined Newcastle, which was put down to him not understanding much English. He also admitted the transfer left him "lost" when he returned to Milan for a European game in September.
Tonali said then: "This summer has been hard and I’ve had a difficult start. At the beginning it was not easy to find my place, but I have found people to support me and to help me and I started to be happier. Mr Howe and my teammates have been great.
"They are helping me in my personal and professional life. They have helped me settle. The language at the beginning was very, very difficult for me, communicating with the guys I found extremely tough, but it is getting easier and I’m very happy. It is getting easier."