Sandro Tonali reportedly denied in his deposition that he introduced Nicolò Fagioli to an illegal betting app, but is eager to get his plea bargain locked down before Newcastle United face Borussia Dortmund.
The midfielder spent almost three hours giving his deposition to the Turin prosecutor and is undergoing treatment for gambling addiction.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there are some differences in the version of events provided by Tonali and by Juventus midfielder Fagioli.
While Fagioli told prosecutors that it was Tonali who first introduced him to the illegal betting app, the former Milan player insists he did not drag anyone else into his gambling.
Tonali is still working on a plea bargain with the FIGC, which will inevitably be longer than the seven months for Fagioli due to several reasons.
The first is that Fagioli handed himself in, the second that Tonali placed bets on his own team.
The Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Monday October 23 will be a crucial day in the proceedings for Tonali, as his lawyers will meet with FIGC prosecutor Giuseppe Chinè to work out the details of the plea bargain.
Considering the ‘look’ of fielding a player who confessed to illegal gambling and is set for a lengthy ban, Newcastle might not want to use Tonali in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund next week, even if legally they are allowed to.