Newcastle star Sandro Tonali facing fresh investigation in new betting scandal

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is once again under investigation as Italian authorities launch a fresh probe into alleged illegal betting activities involving 12 current and former Serie A players.

Tonali, who previously served a 10-month ban in October 2023 for betting on football matches – including games involving his former club AC Milan – is now being scrutinised again by prosecutors.

This new wave of investigations also involves high-profile names such as Ángel Di María, the former Manchester United winger currently playing for Benfica, and Fiorentina’s Nicolò Fagioli, who, like Tonali, has already served a suspension for illegal betting.

Other players reportedly implicated in the scandal include Juventus duo Weston McKennie and Mattia Perin, Roma’s Leandro Paredes, Atalanta’s Raoul Bellanova, and Torino’s Samuele Ricci.

Italian media outlets ANSA and AGI report that all 12 players are under investigation for involvement in poker games and betting on sporting events, not football matches, via banned gambling platforms.

Sandro Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July 2023 for £55m

The reports suggest that Italian prosecutors have accused Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Fagioli of receiving financial rewards for recruiting others to these illicit platforms.

On Friday morning, the Milan prosecutor’s office placed five individuals under house arrest on charges of illegal gambling and money laundering.

In addition, £1.3million was seized from a jewelry store in Milan, which prosecutors believe served as the base for the illegal operation.

None of the 12 footballers allegedly involved in the investigation were among those arrested.

Should they be found guilty, it is believed the players will likely face fines, though any punishment would be separate from potential sanctions imposed by the Italian Football Federation.