Official: Former Milan star Tonali served legal documents for involvement in betting scandal

By Euan Burns -

Former AC Milan midfielder and current Newcastle star Sandro Tonali has been served legal documents for his involvement in the betting scandal that features three players at this stage.

As has been officially announced by the FIGC, the two Italy internationals have been served the official documentation that says they are under investigation for their role in a betting scandal.

This story first began with Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli being investigated for using illegal betting platforms and potentially betting on football matches.

It then emerged that Tonali and Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo are also involved. The latter two are now officially being investigated as well.

Tonali and Zaniolo have been allowed to leave Coverciano where they were training for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers. The FIGC believe that they won’t be in a fit state to face Malta and England.

In the long run, there is serious potential for suspensions from the sport for all three players.

Tags AC Milan Italy Sandro Tonali

53 Comments

  1. Newcastle fans have started to dump on Tonali because he really is having a hard time with the constant running and pressing requirements of Eddie Howe’s system as well as the generally greater physicality of the English Premiere League, and he’s no longer a guaranteed starter.
    This scandal is going to make them regret the transfer even more.
    Milan really made out like bandits with this transfer. Off-loading him before this scandal hit just makes it even better for Milan

    1. I was gutted when we sold him and still is sad he was sold BUT and thats a huge BUT if he actually has done it it really paints a different lasting impression and if he actually gets convicted and gets banned he could very easily get sued by his new club as they invested a lot of cash on him both in transfer fee + sign on fees + salary. Adrian mutu when he played for chelsea was caught taking coke and had his contract torn up and then was sued by the club and from what i can recollect he ended up having to reimburse the club 20 mil which was a pretty big transfer fee 20 years ago.
      If he gets banned i can see the same happening to tonali and then there is only one place to earn great ammounts of cash for him to pay back his debt and that would be in saudi arabia if they would want to sign him of course,

    2. It’s this attitude that makes it absolutely pointless.

      Were you cheering on Tonali last season?

      So what’s changed?

      Money.

      Money, god damn money. That’s all that matters.

      And what did we did we do with all that money?

      Replaced half the players we were cheering on last season.

      And the transfer window we’ll replace another load of players for money.

      A revolving door football club with revolving door fans.

      And with this total lack of loyalty how can we ever expect to win anything or build long tent success?

      We support players past and present through thick and thin. Without that it’s just pointless.

      1. I agree on what you say.
        But if it turns out he actually did that, then it changes everything for me.
        Because he probably did it as a Milan player, in our colors.
        I always kept supporting everyone who left and was happy if they succeeded.
        Weird fact for me is, that not many big player who left actually succeeded.
        Legend are those who retire as rossonero.

        1. Yep the number of star players at clubs who struggle elsewhere is the clearest example of why the transfer market doesn’t all work the way people think it should.

          As for what he was doing at Milan, Adams and Merson had huge problems at arsenal but the club supported them.

          Players will have problems. It’s almost impossible to imagine how they wouldn’t. I draw the line at Robinho. Not some young land who got targeted by a predatory industry.

      2. Broken record. Over and over again. Wah wah. wah.
        Tonali was overrated, Newcastle way overpaid, which they are now realizing. It allowed Milan to strengthen our team and add depth. It was a great move by Milan. Cry your eyes out all you want.

          1. and you think freaking Tonali is worth 80m just because you said so lol, Rejinders literally does everything he does, RLC is more physical, Bennacer always had a better pass, why do you act like he was Belligham in disguise? There is literally nothing Tonali did that isnt replaceable

        1. I agree. Maldinis Heir says the same thing over and over..

          Newcastle 100% overpaid for Tonali. He’s a decent player, but nothing special. He runs a lot, which helps, but selling him was definitely the smart move.

          This guy thinks you should just keep the same squad forever because of loyalty. Clubs need to make moves. Will they all work out? Of course not. But they do what they think is best at the time, and life goes on.

          Milan bought 3/4 class players with the Tonali money. Amazing business by Milan.

          1. I don’t care about funny football money.

            His value is irrelevant. It’s what he represented.

            And we don’t know how the new players will fare because they haven’t won anything – yet. Tonali has.

      3. Again with this “I’m the only true football fan because I hate money” stuff.

        We were cheering on those players last season because they played for our club. We weren’t deluding ourselves they were worthy of the shirt. There’s a massive difference.

        You’ve been so quick to recite your favourite trope you’ve missed the point…IF Tonali is found guilty of something and suspended (looking at the number of players involved there is clearly fire under this smoke), then we did well to bank 80m instead of having him on the books and not playing.

        IF he is found guilty, I would not be standing by him. He has the world at his feet; if he’s thrown that away for a bet, he’s a very stupid young man and I have no sympathy for him. If he still played for us those feelings would be even stronger given the hole he’d leave and the reflective damage he’d do.

        If in bizarro world that makes me a revolving door fan, I’m fine with that, thanks.

  2. Well this is not good for Tonali.
    If he gets found guilty and gets suspended for a long time Newcastle can actually come after him and try to recuperate the money they spent on his transfer, especially since it happened before he made the transfer.
    Milan has nothing to do with this but Tonali troubles are just starting.

  3. I’ll never understand why some people need to bet on sports when they earn millions..
    Wanna blow cash? Go to monte carlo and play poker or something.. but betting on football? Why?

    1. That’s a very good question to ask. They all are pretty young, they are from a generation that grew up with sports bet, especially in Italy where it’s a huge thing. They probably started before they became millionnaires, and then it can turn into an addiction.

      Rather than tackling these guys, we should question the recent invasion of betting companies in advertisement and sports. It’s out of control now and they target young people.

    2. It’s usually a personality thing. Some people constantly feel like they’re missing out on something and some people feel they’re entitled to anything they want.

      Neither of these match Tonali’s introverted and humble personality so this is certainly an odd one. Without knowing any details I am guessing Tonali was pressured by others in the moment so he joined in.

    3. I don’t mean this as an insult, so please read it with best of intent.

      The lack of understanding expressed is due to the attempt to apply rational thinking to an irrational behavior.

      It won’t make sense to any of us because we will attempt logic (e.g. if I made millions then why risk the source). In the end the basic charge is nothing more than stealing from where you work. It doesn’t really make sense on any level.

      I hope it turns out to be a misunderstanding. I’ve been quietly pulling for Tonali at Newcastle.

  4. Now is very strange Milan transfer of Tonali. How easily and quick they sell him.

    Did they have any info about betting a little before ?

    1. If Milan knew about this , if its true , then the club are as corrupt as the player . They to , in such circumstances should face sensure!

        1. Jail? What are you talking about? Yes, if the club knew about this, then they 100% had a legal responsibility to report it.

          Fortunately there is nothing as yet to suggest the club did know, so not a problem.

  5. It’s funny how some people think that they know the real personalities of these public persons based on what they see on TV couple times a week for hour and a half.
    How do you know what kind of a person is Tonali without ever meeting him or spending any time with him?
    “Oh Tonali is humble and he would never leave Milan for money.”
    Well, the 9 million a year offer from Newcastle that he accepted in a heartbeat paints a different picture. And I am not judging him for that. That was absolutely the right decision. You’d be a fool to turn down an offer that would quadruple your salary in any profession and especially in sports where 1 bad tackle, 1 awkward step or landing can derail your career and stop you from ever being the same player and receive the money you got offered.
    Or some other people pull the victim card to defend someone that they don’t know by blaming the environment they are growing up in.
    “It’s the betting companies fault”.
    Hundreds of thousands players or athletes growing up in the same era and don’t bet, but let’s blame the environment for the stupidity and weakness of the few exceptions.
    Heineken is UCL biggest sponsor. Is it their fault if 1 of a 1000 players is getting drunk on a regular or showing up with a hangover to training?
    Ibra, Cristiano, Messi were disciplined, lived a healthy life and their careers still last in their late 30s or ended at 42.
    At the same time Ronaldo, Ronaldinho were opposite of that and their careers ended in their late 20s. Ronaldinho was playing in Brazil at age 30. Ronaldo’ injuries were because of his unhealthy lifestyle.
    It all comes down to personal choices.
    Everyone is responsible for their own actions.
    Tonali is a grown man, not a kid. Same with the other 2 clowns.

    1. Probably the dumbest post you ever wrote. You complain about people judging without knowledge and you do the very same thing. Who knows if Tonali left because he was forced to or if he wanted the money? You? Then, personal choices are defined by one’s environment. Advertisers know how to trick brains for years now. There is a purpose for regulators. Some people have addictive tendencies and you don’t cure them with your “grow up, just quit”. What a narrow mind. Do your homework.

      1. Pure fanboy response and proving everything I said right.
        People like you who idolize Tonali think that there is no way he did this and if he did it it was someone else’s fault.
        How long did it take Tonali to accept Newcastle offer? Use your brain, not just your emotions.
        Take your own advice and do the homework. Newcastle was pleasantly surprised how open Tonali was for the transfer. They had an agreement with Tonali before they had with Milan. That’s based on journalists in the know from England not the Maldini fanboys and friends from Italy. Did Tonali went from making 2.5 mil to 9 mil a season or not?
        People like Tonali, Zaniolo and Fagiolli are the exception, not the rule. How come advertisers don’t trick the rest of the players. It’s in Tonali’s contract that he isn’t allowed to bet, do drugs, probably ride motorcycles, anything that would put in jeopardy the investment the club has put in him. He is responsible for his own choices and actions.
        But it’s easier to blame the club for Tonalis sale because they fired Maldini and you are still devastated about it, and it’s also easier to blame everyone and everything else instead of holding the real person responsible for his actions.
        Emotional and victim mentality.
        Hopefully, Tonali will give you his attention one day and stop to take a picture with you

        1. Man stop it with your conspiracy plot of Maldini-Tonali fanboys on every topic. I was pointing at your contradictions, you’re judging guys (e.g. Tonali, “fanboys” or me) you don’t know in every line you wrote since you started complaining about individual judgments. Your credibility is long gone. The gambling addictions and growing advertisement of bets in the public sphere is a social debate that doesn’t need your two cents.

          1. Would Tonali be a football player if he was born in Vietnam? Would Tonali be a gambler if he was living in Angola? Or if his parents were astronauts or doctors?

            You always deal in absolutes, you never challenge your personal opinion, which is the very base of obscurantism and extremism, despite proving with every post here that you’re no expert in human psychology, sociology nor football for that matter.

  6. Football’s hypocrisy knows no bounds; exposes young men to betting messaging and advertising every moment in their professional life then comes down on them 10x harder than if they’d been found guilty of racism or domestic violence if they participate in it.

    1. Well domestic violence is not football related. How much an employer should act as a penalizing organ for something that is entirely private is something you can discuss long and far about.

      Betting is directly football related as players can use insider information and it can lead to match fixing, so not the same really.

  7. Redbird must already know about this betting case . They want to sell him fast on summer to whatever club want to buy him. Well they success sell him , this betting case will make tonali price down to the lowest ,

    1. It’s not a given that Milan knew about it. The accusation was issued yesterday. As far as I know, nobody knew about it at the time Milan was negotiating his sale. It appeared evident that we needed money to reinforce the team, and Newcastle came knocking and offering a hefty sum. We did it rapidly because the market takes time and we planned on buying 10 players, so we needed his sale to go through as soon as possible, to open up our mercato instead of leaving everything to the last moment (you saw how the Taremi situation failed because it was left to the end).

      Let’s not suspect our own club of wrongdoing with no proof whatsoever. Let’s leave it up to the Interisti and Juventini to accuse us. I’m not about to accuse AC Milan myself!!!

  8. This is bad. It doesn’t look good at all.

    Allegedly Sandro bet on Milan games which is a no-no. Any betting in the same discipline you practice is forbidden even if you don’t bet on the team you play for (so that you can’t coordinate with a player from another team: you bet his team will lose and he throws the game for you, then he bets on your team to lose and you throw the game for him) but betting on your own team’s games is considered an aggravating issue that can increase the ban time.

    Not to forget, if proven guilty and banned, Newcastle will likely sue Sandro to recover some money. Milan is in the clear but Sandro’s situation is delicate. Innocent until proven guilty and all but I’m not optimistic for Sandro.

    About supporting an ex-player and a boyhood Milanista, yes, I love Sandro and my Scudetto jersey has his name and number. However I must say that if it is proven that he bet on Milan to lose I’ll lose ALL respect for him. If he didn’t do it maliciously and didn’t try to throw games (and I can’t think of any suspicious activities by him in our games) I’ll still lose some of the respect I have for him, just on how utterly STUPID and boneheaded this is. I don’t especially like or admire stupid people.

    Because, dammit, you have a gambling addiction? Go to a casino, go bet on basketball, rugby, whatever! If you’re a professional soccer player, don’t bet on soccer!!! It’s forbidden, risky, looks terrible, causes a PR hit, lowers your market value, and can derail your career. Sandro earns 9 million euro from Newcastle. Why risk it?

    He could end up banned for one to three years, get sued, get in debt, and see his market value plunge. Luke someone said, he may end up in Saudi Arabia, or not, because that’s a very rigid and moralistic society.

    I’m crossing my fingers that Sandro is innocent.

    1. I agree with your overall assesments here luigi but below is a snippet from an article from football italia that points out that its zaniolo who played on his own match and that italy has more severe rules than you suggest.

      “Zaniolo, Tonali and Fagioli betting bans would be worldwide”

      “All players in Italy are banned from placing bets on any football event organised in association with the FIGC, FIFA and UEFA.

      Brentford striker Ivan Toney admitted 232 breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules in May 2023 and was fined £50,000 along with an eight-month ban.

      The minimum Italian ban for betting on football events is three years, so would be significantly harsher.

      It would be far worse for Zaniolo if the allegations are true that he bet on a Coppa Italia game involving his own club Roma when he was still in the squad.”

      Anyways a 3 year ban would be absolutely detrimental to tonalis career nevertheless.

      1. The rumour in other source say tonali betting on brescia match . Well it is police and court job to prove that. If he is not guilty then he is free to continue his career at newcastle and he is still hero for scudetto . if he is proven guilty , well that will be bad for his career , half ACM fans will losing respect to him and newcastle can terminate his contract ( if he get 3 years banned) .

        1. Ok well ive only seen that article specifying it to be zaniolo but as much as i would hate it to be the case you are saying it happened while tonali played at brescia ? that would at least be better from my standpoint instead of him betting against ac milan who actually matters to me but it deffently would show some lack of character nevertheless even if it happened while at brescia.
          Absolutely he is innocent untill proven guilty and its not him who needs to prove his innocence but the prosecutors job to prove him guilty.
          It would tarnish his reputation and potentially ruining his career completely and newcastle certainly would be in their good rights to terminate his contract and sue the living hell out of him if he were to get banned for 3 years or more.

          1. Maybe Luigi but that wouldnt make much sense as we loaned tonali in 2020/21 season with an option to buy while brescia had already been relegated to serie b so we didnt play against them so if anything he betted against milan the previous season which would then not be against his own team unless he of course betted against brescia back then.

  9. This is all so crazy, Cardinale is either extremely lucky or well informed. Either way, we got 80m for a player who could not only have been a frozen asset, but also an unusable one.

  10. We don’t know any of the players. They can be monsters at home. We don’t know.
    As footballers fans worship these people, sometimes no matter what. Most of them are uneducated idiots who are very young and millionaires.

    It’s not easy for them and one wonders how the so called academies educates them for this kind of life?

    In Tonalis case I didn’t want us to sell a true Milanista. At the same time he could’ve said no himself to the transfer.

    It seems we’ve bought good players for the money we got.
    Now Tonali have to face whatever is in front of him. We’ll see what the investigation gives.

    Milan is Milan. I support Milan first and foremost.
    If a player, no matter how much I like him, makes these kind of mistakes I hope he gets help and that he stops being an idiot.

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