Newcastle break silence as Merson urges football to "go easy" on 'addicted' star
Paul Merson has called for understanding and urged FIFA to 'go easy' on Sandro Tonali after the Newcastle star admitted gambling on AC Milan matches while playing for the club.
Tonali is one of several Italian footballers involved in an ongoing betting probe, with Aston Villa loanee Nicolo Zaniolo and Juventus ' Nicolo Fagioli also implicated. Fagiolo has been given a one-year ban with the final five months suspended after admitting to betting on games and using illegal platforms.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Newcastle said: "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 engaging with the investigation and will continue to cooperate with all relevant authorities. He and his family will continue to receive the club's full support."
Italian football federation (FIGC) rules state players found to have bet on football can receive bans of up to three years, but Fagiolo's punishment was reduced after he cooperated with authorities and agreed to attend rehab for his gambling addiction. Tonali made a similar admission to an FIGC hearing on Tuesday and his agent, Guiseppe Riso, revealed that he also has a gambling addiction.
"Sandro is playing his most important game - against betting addiction," Riso said. "He's in shock, very sad. He knows he made a mistake and is quite shaken. But he understands that he must face the matter with determination.
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"He is playing the most important game of his career, that of gambling addiction, but I am sure he will win it."
And Merson, who is a gambling addict himself, has called on football's authorities to "stop throwing out big bans and help people get help".
"Just want to wish Sandro Tonali all the best from this horrible addiction and hope fifa and everyone else goes easy and to understand this is an illness and to stop throwing out big bans and to help people get help," Merson wrote on social media. "I understand if someone is playing in a game and is betting on the other team then a ban should (be) imposed but people need HELP.
"I have had people say to me have some will power and I say next time you have the s**** stop it with will power … banning people stops people asking for help please show some understanding".
Speaking about his struggles with gambling addiction, Merson told the Mirror in 2021 that he is "frightened to death" of relapsing and urged betting companies to do more to help those affected. "Betting companies are exploiting ill people," the ex-Arsenal star said. "To do what they do is bordering on evil.
Paul Merson (Sky Sports)"There are lots of people like me who have a major problem. They can't stop. Betting companies are exploiting ill people. It's as simple as that. They need to stop. I think they've got to take it in their hands. Not keep on leaving it with the compulsive gambler. Don't throw it onto them.
"They need to take control. They can't just use that 'when the fun stops, stop' because an addict isn't going to do that. You know when someone's not having fun - 90 bets a day, 60 bets a day,15 deposits a day.
"The limits need to be set for these people, because they won't set a limit themselves. The only time they're ever going to stop is when everything is gone. They're not going to stop until their bank account is at zero."
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