Newcastle star Sandro Tonali could be hit with ANOTHER ban as FA investigate whether he broke betting rules in UK
SANDRO TONALI could be hit with another ban as the FA investigate whether he broke betting rules in the UK.
The Newcastle midfielder, 23, was suspended for ten months for illegal gambling in Italy before his £55million summer switch from AC Milan.
But the FA have now launched their own probe to find out if “addict” Tonali continued placing bets on matches AFTER the move.
And Toon chief Dan Ashworth fears Prem rivals will try to block any move to replace Tonali in January with a player from Saudi Arabia.
As SunSport revealed, Newcastle have been eyeing up a loan for Al-Hilal’s Portuguese ex-Wolves star Ruben Neves as boss Eddie Howe tries to bolster his ranks.
Newcastle, Al-Hilal and three other Pro League sides are all owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, with any deal potentially a way around FFP restrictions.
Ashworth declared: “The current rules and regulations say there is nothing to stop it.
“But there is a potential that the different organisations will look at things across related parties and what you can do to acquire players at a fair market value.
“There are lots of ways to do it and we are going to have to be quite creative.
“We have got to do what is best for this football club and get the best players we possibly can for the budget we have got — and that is what my job is. We want to be active.”
Tonali was found to have bet on his former sides Brescia and AC Milan to win by Italian authorities.
He is back training with Newcastle but will undergo eight months of therapy.
On an FA investigation, Ashworth added: “All I can say is that we have fully cooperated with all of the associations and organisations concerned and the FA are, of course, fully aware of what’s going on.”
The Mags, who started their own investigation, would almost certainly not have signed the Italy star if they had known this was on the horizon.
And Ashworth, 52, said: “Sandro feels that he’s let himself down.
“If you know a player is going to be out for ten months, whether that’s through injury or something like this, you’d either have to look at the deal again or structure it in a different manner.
“It was a massive shock and a massive surprise.
“We first became aware of it when there was a potential allegation on social media.
“For me, from the minute it happened, you look at yourself. What could we have done better? What could I have done better? Could we have known? Should we have known?
“We haven’t come up with anything yet.”
Ashworth also confirmed Tonali breached part of his contract, meaning there is scope to dock some of his £140,000-a-week wages — though he stressed his impeccable conduct since the news broke.
And questions remain over whether AC Milan, who visit St James’ Park in the Champions League next month, knew about the investigation before selling their vice-captain.
AC Milan insisted on Friday night: “We first learnt about Tonali’s addiction through media reports and what we know is only what we read. We don’t know anything else.”
However, Newcastle are exploring all legal options.
Manager Howe said: “He is training and has started that lonely process. It is a mental test for him.
“Sandro has to try to come back a better player — but it is going to be difficult for him.”