The Italian football federation (FIGC) recently announced that both Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo from Aston Villa have left the national team squad. They will return to their respective clubs due to the ongoing investigation. This decision was made "for their protection" since both players were considered "not in the necessary condition" to represent their country in the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta, which Italy won 4-0, and the upcoming match against England next Tuesday.
According to Il Corriere della Sera, Tonali and Zaniolo were questioned by the police in Coverciano on Friday. Tonali returned to his home in Milan the same day and reportedly broke down in tears with his family after a sleepless night at the national team camp.
The report suggests that Tonali is fearful and recognizes that he made a mistake by breaking the rules, giving in to certain habits. To address his gambling addiction, Tonali has reportedly heeded the advice of his agents and sought the help of a therapist. The 23-year-old is also willing to make himself available to the FIGC to share his experiences with younger players and explain why they should avoid going down a similar path.
Newcastle allegedly sent a private jet to pick up Tonali from Milan on Saturday, with manager Eddie Howe and the club's staff ready to provide full support to the midfielder. Tonali joined Newcastle in the summer from Milan for a reported £55 million and has quickly adapted to Howe's midfield, making appearances in 10 games across all competitions, including seven in the Premier League.
The 15-cap Italy international scored on his Premier League debut in an impressive 5-1 victory over Aston Villa in August and has featured in recent wins over Manchester City in the EFL Cup and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League group stage.
If Tonali and Zaniolo are found guilty of breaching betting regulations, they could face a ban from football for up to three years under Italian rules. This situation is further complicated by a separate investigation involving Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli, who is also under scrutiny for illegal gambling activities and potentially facing a similar punishment.
The involvement of Sandro Tonali in Newcastle's upcoming Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Saturday remains uncertain.
