As big-money signing Sandro Tonali faces a 10-month ban for illegal gambling, Newcastle United, who bought him last summer, is considering a lawsuit against Italian side AC Milan, who sold him.
“Newcastle have threatened AC Milan with a multi-million pound lawsuit as they prepare to face a lengthy ban for midfielder Sandro Tonalli,” the Daily Mail reported on Aug. 25.
Born in 2000, Italian midfielder Tonali has proven himself at a young age in Serie A, one of the world’s top professional soccer stages. Despite his young age, he showed a mature game that earned him the nickname “the next Andrea Pirlo” while playing for Brescia Calcio.
After moving to AC Milan, Tonali’s long kicks, dribbling, and ability to control the tempo of the game quickly made him an integral part of the midfield, helping the club win the 2021/22 Serie A title alongside the likes of Ismael Benasser and Frank Kessie.
His performances attracted interest from a number of big clubs, including Newcastle, who finished fourth and qualified for the UEFA Champions League in 2023/24 after being acquired by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. Newcastle paid a record £52 million to Milan for Tonali to bolster their midfield.
Newcastle hoped the signing of Tonali would boost the club’s power and status, but the joy was short-lived. They were hit with a bombshell when it was revealed that Tonali had been involved in a gambling scandal at his former club.
The Italian national team hastily removed Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo (Aston Villa) from the Italian squad on Wednesday. The reason: illegal sports betting. On the 19th, Tonali admitted to gambling on the wins and losses of his club AC Milan, rather than other teams, while playing for AC Milan. In addition to illegal betting, he was also suspected of match-fixing. 토스카지노
According to the Italian Football Federation’s (FIGC) rules, sports gambling, even if it’s legalized, is prohibited for current soccer players. Furthermore, they are not allowed to bet on their own team. This leaves room for match-fixing. Players involved in illegal gambling face up to a five-year suspension.
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