La Gazzetta dello Sport reports Sandro Tonali has admitted he gambled on Milan matches when he was under contract with the Rossoneri, but not eligible to play, so it is almost certain he will get a longer ban than Nicolò Fagioli.
Tonali spoke to the Turin Prosecutor on Tuesday afternoon and according to Gazzetta, he has been interrogated twice by the FIGC Prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné since last week.
Wednesday’s printed edition of Gazzetta (page 12) reports Tonali admitted he placed bets on Milan games while being a Rossoneri player, although he only gambled on his former club when he was not eligible to play.
If this is confirmed, the 23-year-old would not be suspected of match-fixing and breach of Article 30 of the Code of Sports Conduct given that he did not influence a game or a competition by gambling on Milan games when he was not eligible to play.
Like his compatriot Fagioli, Tonali is telling authorities everything he knows about the case and has sought help treating his gambling addiction, as confirmed by his agent Beppe Riso on Tuesday.
By doing so, Tonali could negotiate a plea bargain with the FIGC Prosecutor, hoping to reduce his suspension, but there are differences with the Fagioli case. First of all, the Juventus midfielder also gambled on football games, but not on those of his club.
According to Gazzetta, the fact that Tonali gambled on Milan games while under contract with the Rossoneri means the starting point for the FIGC Prosecutor would be a ban higher than three years. Given Tonali’s collaboration and the fact that he wants to treat his gambling addiction, the Prosecutor could halve the ban’s length and cut it further if the player’s claims match what investigators have found in his devices, seized at Coverciano last week.
Gazzetta claims it is difficult to predict Tonali’s suspension now, but given the circumstances, the Newcastle midfielder may get a one-year suspension plus five months of treatment alternatives and public appearances.