Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur could potentially gain an advantage from the ongoing situation involving Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. Recent reports indicated that Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo were under investigation for possible violations of gambling legislation in Italy. This matter is significant, as it draws parallels to a case involving Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli, who was fined €12,000 and banned for seven months due to betting rule violations.
One of the key revelations in this situation is that Tonali confessed during an Italian Federation hearing to placing bets on AC Milan, his former club, to win. According to FIFA Code 26, this admission might lead to a potential three-year penalty for the player. However, it appears that Tonali is trying to cooperate with the Italian government to potentially mitigate these consequences. He is currently in Italy, and his agent, Beppe Riso, has disclosed that Tonali has been grappling with gambling addiction, which could potentially reduce his suspension from three years to just one.
Riso expressed Tonali’s remorse, stating, “He [Tonali] knows he made a mistake and is quite shaken.” It’s evident that Tonali recognizes the need to confront this issue head-on. He acknowledges the gravity of the situation and is committed to dealing with his gambling addiction. Riso’s hope is that the handling of this addiction issue will not only help Tonali but also many other young individuals facing similar challenges.
This situation has undoubtedly rocked Newcastle United, and the club’s authorities are actively addressing it. Tonali, who was acquired by Newcastle for a substantial £55 million from AC Milan in July, was a crucial addition to the squad. The club has already faced midfield shortages this season, with Joe Willock yet to make an appearance in the 2023-24 season, and Joelinton battling injuries in recent weeks. Losing Tonali exacerbates the midfield crisis for the team.
In light of these developments, Chelsea and Tottenham may be the beneficiaries of Tonali’s potential absence, particularly in the battle for a top-four finish in the Premier League. Despite currently leading the table, Tottenham’s return to Europe’s elite tournament is seen as a successful season, especially given the pre-season doubts. Chelsea, on the other hand, is just two points behind Newcastle, who currently occupy the seventh spot in the league standings. Under the management of Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea aims to continue improving its position.
