Sandro Tonali’s agent has said his client is battling a “betting addiction” but says that he could still play for Newcastle United against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Tonali – a £53 million summer signing for Newcastle – and Aston Villa winger Nicolo Zaniolo left the Italian national team last Thursday following an investigation by Italian authorities into illegal betting.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said they were not in the “necessary condition” to take part in Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta last Saturday and against England at Wembley on Tuesday but have pledged support.
“As a human being I feel for the two players, they are like children to me,” said Gabriele Gravina, the FIGC president. “We should not condemn these young boys. Gambling addiction is not a football problem, it’s a social plague. I assure you that whoever is asking for help we will help.”
Gravina, who was appearing at the Italian Embassy in London to collect awards with Fabio Capello, Gianfranco Zola and Angelo Ogbonna for their contribution to football, added: “Whoever made a mistake will be punished and helped in a healing and recovery project. We need to put these people on a path to recovery. We have to make sure these children can come back. We will not abandon these boys. Ever.”
Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, said that he was “very happy” about Gravina’s comments. “He [Tonali] is playing his most important game – against betting addiction,” said Riso. “He’s in shock, he’s very sad. He has to face this situation. He is training at the moment (at Newcastle). He told me he trained very well. He can play Saturday.”
Under regulations in Italy, players can be banned for three years if found guilty of breaches of betting rules.
Tonali, who arrived at Newcastle earlier this year from AC Milan, made an instant impact for Eddie Howe’s team by scoring on his debut against Aston Villa. The 23-year-old then started in the Champions League games against his former club and the win over Paris St-Germain.
Zaniolo is on a season-long loan from Turkish club Galatasaray and has forced his way into Unai Emery’s team, starting in five out of the last seven games for Villa.
