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Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is being investigated for allegedly breaching gambling regulations in Italy. Juventus star Nicolo Fagioli was handed a seven-month ban and a €12,000 fine for breaching betting rules, with Newcastle confirming that Tonali is now being investigated by the Italian Prosecutor's Office and Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
The Premier League club said: "Newcastle United can confirm that Sandro Tonali is subject to investigation by the Italian Prosecutor's Office and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in relation to illegal betting activity. Sandro is fully engaging with the investigation and will continue to cooperate with all relevant authorities.
"He and his family will continue to receive the club's full support. Due to this ongoing process, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to offer further comment at this time."
If the former AC Milan midfielder does end up receiving a ban, the Magpies will be short of options in the centre of the park. Eddie Howe's side had previously been linked with a move for Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe and the need to sign a player of his ilk would only be exacerbated if Tonali is out of action for a number of months.
Smith Rowe has fallen down the pecking order in north London over the last 18 months, failing to start a single Premier League game since the end of the 2021/22 campaign. But the Gunners still value the 23-year-old at around £50million, according to the Northern Echo, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta recently admitting that the Hale End academy graduate is hugely popular at the Emirates Stadium.
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"Here he is incredibly popular," Arteta said of Smith Rowe last month. "We all love him. It’s no different to what the people feel to what we feel about him."
It remains to be seen what exactly will happen regarding Smith Rowe's future, with the January transfer window now less than three months away.
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