Tonali to negotiate plea bargain, but faces lengthy ban – report
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports Sandro Tonali is ready to negotiate a plea bargain with FIGC and Turin Prosecutor but still risks a ban of at least 18 months.
The Newcastle and Italy midfielder was formally put under investigation last week when Police questioned him and his compatriot Nicolò Zaniolo at Italy’s training centre Coverciano.
According to Il Corriere della Sera, Tonali was in tears and caught help from a therapist to treat gambling addiction.
La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms Tonali is ready to ‘collaborate’ with FIGC and Turin Prosecutors, revealing all he knows about the betting scandal and which events he gambled on.
The same strategy was adopted by Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli, from whom the investigation started.
According to Gazzetta, both Tonali and Fagioli gambled on football games, breaching Article 24 of the Code of Sporting Justice. If confirmed, they’d face a minimum ban of three years, but a plea bargain would allow them to halve the suspension.
The report claims Fagioli will be heard by FIGC Prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné for one last time this week and after that, the Juventus midfielder will likely receive a ban from 10 to 18 months.
The punishment for Fagioli will be mild as the 22-year-old immediately collaborated with authorities, providing key information in the investigation.
The punishment for Tonali and other players involved could be higher because, according to Gazzetta, FIGC want to send a ‘strong signal’ to footballers and public opinion.
Moreover, it is still reportedly unclear whether Tonali gambled on Milan games while still a Rossoneri player. Investigators are still analysing mobile phones and tablets belonging to the Newcastle midfielder and Zaniolo.
If Tonali’s self-report matches what investigators will find in his devices, then the Azzurri midfielder will likely get a ban in the region of 18 months, but it will take a few months to complete the investigation and learn how long Tonali will be banned for.
