EXCLUSIVE: Milan unaware of Tonali gambling issues prior to Newcastle transfer

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 18 Oct 2023 17:12 BST
• 4 min read

Milan were unaware over Sandro Tonali’s gambling addiction when they sold the midfielder to Newcastle this summer and learned of the news at the same time as the public, FootballTransfers has been told.

Tonali is facing a significant ban from football after being embroiled in a betting scandal which has already seen Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli suspended for seven months.

Fagioli reportedly received a lower ban after co-operating with authorities and naming Tonali as someone who showed him the apps used to gamble illegally in Italy.

INFO: How long could Tonali be banned for?

Tonali could now be banned for up to three years after reportedly admitting to officials this week that he bet on Milan games, although the punishment is likely to be closer to 12 months due to his admittance.

The news prompted speculation that Milan chose to cash in on Tonali this summer with knowledge that the 23-year-old could have breached betting protocols, effectively leaving Newcastle dealing with the consequences.

But sources in Italy have told FootballTransfers that Milan only know what the media has reported, having found out at the same time as everyone else and that there was no prior knowledge of Tonali’s offences, with the decision to sell the player unrelated to the scandal.

With the situation still developing, neither Newcastle or Milan have been willing to make any formal statements but the Italian side are not expected to be involved in any fines or sanctions.

Tonali could still play for Newcastle despite investigation

Eyebrows were raised when Milan sold Tonali this summer despite the Italian being a pivotal part of the first team and a boyhood fan who had previously signalled his desire to play for the San Siro side for the rest of his career.

Newcastle paid Milan the highest fee ever received for an Italian player, splashing an initial €64 million on Tonali which could rise as high as €70m, equalling the club-record signing of Alexander Isak.

BIG DEALS: Who are Newcastle's most expensive transfers of all time?

Tonali scored just minutes into his debut for the Magpies but has otherwise been slow to adapt to English football, admitting last month that it had been a ‘difficult’ start at his new home and that he was initially ‘lost’.

The ex-Brescia man could still feature for Newcastle this weekend, with the FA set to wait on the outcome of the Italian investigation into Tonali before making any decisions on a domestic ban.

Tonali had admitted to authorities that he has a gambling addiction and he is believed to have bet on Milan games, but only for them to win and when he was not involved in the squad.

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