Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that Sandro Tonali is eligible for selection in Saturday’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace, despite an ongoing investigation into his involvement in illegal betting. The club released a statement, acknowledging Tonali’s connection to an Italian football betting inquiry and his full cooperation with the investigation.
Earlier this month, the 23-year-old withdrew from the Italy national team squad, briefly returning to Newcastle before traveling back to Italy to participate in a hearing at the prosecutor’s office in the Court of Turin this past Tuesday. It has been reported that Tonali confessed to betting on football matches, both those in which he played and those he did not, in favor of his former club, AC Milan, during his time with the Serie A side.
The midfielder, who, according to his agent Giuseppe Riso, is struggling with a gambling addiction, faces a potential lengthy suspension from international football, ranging from seven months to three years. The verdict of his case is expected to be revealed next week.
In the meantime, Tonali has returned to Newcastle and trained with his teammates. Manager Eddie Howe confirmed his availability for the upcoming match against Crystal Palace at St James’ Park during a press conference, stating, “He’s very much with us. I think he trained twice this week. He’s very much available for selection.”
Howe acknowledged that Tonali has been going through a difficult period and that he’s been managing his emotions effectively, but there’s likely more happening beneath the surface. Howe stressed the importance of evaluating his training performances to make the best decision for the team.
Howe expressed his surprise at the news about Tonali, emphasizing his primary concern for Tonali’s well-being during this challenging time. He also mentioned that he is uncertain about when Tonali’s case will be resolved, as there are other individuals handling that aspect.
When asked if AC Milan was aware of Tonali’s gambling activities, Howe declined to comment, emphasizing his focus on supporting Tonali. He also mentioned the availability of other players within the team to fill the gap.
Sandro Tonali is one of three Italian footballers embroiled in the Italian football betting probe, along with Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo and Juventus’ Nicolo Fagioli. Fagioli has already received a seven-month ban from football and a fine following a court hearing.
This incident comes on the heels of Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney receiving an eight-month ban from football after accepting multiple breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules.
Eddie Howe stressed the importance of education and support for athletes to develop good habits, especially when it comes to betting in sport, to ensure a long and successful career. He noted that this situation involving Tonali is the first of its kind that he has encountered in his career, emphasizing the need to recognize and assist players dealing with personal challenges.
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