Sandro Tonali: How a gambling addiction ruined the career of a football star

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is widely known for his calm demeanor even in the most passionate moments, yet even he couldn't contain his excitement when he openly confessed to "falling in love" with Sandro Tonali upon witnessing his prodigious talent.  

"We pursued him for a long, long time... He's an outstanding player. He can do a little bit of everything. He's got a combination of a lot of attributes that I think will suit the Premier League," declared the 46-year-old tactician. In a rare display of emotion, Howe's enthusiasm was palpable as he recognized Tonali's incredible ability to operate in various midfield positions, which could elevate Newcastle to new heights and potentially outshine any team in the world. 

Tonali, a vital cog in AC Milan's triumphant Italian league title-winning squad of 2022, possesses a confident arrogance that sets him apart from ordinary players and has even been tipped as a future captain for the Italian national team. 

It's no wonder that Newcastle, backed by Saudi investment, were willing to splash out a staggering 60 million pounds ($76.3 million) to entice Tonali away from Milan last summer. This substantial investment reflected the club's belief in Tonali's immense quality and his potential to make a transformative impact on the team's fortunes.

Like a tale spun from dreams, Tonali's new chapter in England began with the most promising beginnings. Just six minutes into his Premier League debut, he showcased his brilliance by scoring a flawless volley and providing three assists, contributing to Newcastle's resounding 5-1 victory over Aston Villa. Subsequent performances in both domestic league and Champions League encounters only solidified the belief held by Newcastle and Howe that Tonali was the exceptional midfielder they needed to propel them to greater heights.

However, just as everything seemed to align perfectly, a bolt from the blue shattered the idyllic scene. In October, the Italian football federation announced that Tonali was under investigation by prosecutors, though they did not disclose the nature of the investigation. Subsequent reports in Italy revealed that Tonali had admitted to placing bets on Milan matches during his time with the Serie A club. This revelation cast a shadow over Tonali's remarkable journey, raising questions and uncertainties about the extent and ramifications of his actions.

According to FIFA regulations, players who admit to such actions can face suspensions of up to three years. In Tonali's case, given his cooperation with football authorities and his acknowledgment of seeking help for what his agent Giuseppe Riso refers to as a "gambling addiction," the 23-year-old reached a plea bargain with the Italian prosecutors and ultimately received a ban of 10 months.  

Riso later described his client's current predicament as "the most formidable challenge" he has faced in his otherwise illustrious career. "Sandro is genuinely shaken," Riso stated. "He fully acknowledges that he has made an error in judgment. My hope is that this experience will not only serve as a turning point in his life, but also as a catalyst for saving the lives of others grappling with similar addictive tendencies."  

This verdict resulted in Tonali missing the remainder of Newcastle's season as well as Italy's Euro 2024 finals campaign. He will not be eligible to participate in competitive football until August of this year. Additionally, as part of his agreement with the Italian authorities, Tonali is required to attend treatment sessions for his gambling problem and deliver a series of talks about his experience over an additional eight-month period.

It's worth noting that Tonali's current ban, which focuses on his violations related to betting on matches in Italy, is just one aspect of his ongoing troubles. On Wednesday night, the English Football Association (FA) formally charged him with a staggering 50 alleged gambling offenses.  

These new charges specifically pertain to bets that Tonali placed after his transfer from Milan to Newcastle in July. It is reported that these incidents occurred between August 12 and October 12 of the previous year, all preceding his subsequent 10-month suspension on October 26.  

In response to the FA's charges, Newcastle issued a statement expressing their steadfast support for Tonali and their commitment to fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations. However, due to the ongoing nature of the process, both Tonali and the club are unable to provide further comments at this time. 

Tonali now faces a deadline of April 5 to respond to the charges brought forth by the FA. The thought of what he could have achieved without the gambling specter hovering over him is both intriguing and disheartening. In retrospect, Newcastle must be feeling the frustration of the hefty price they paid for Tonali. While his undeniable quality warranted a substantial fee in the current market, the subsequent circumstances have transformed the acquisition into a costly affair.

This has proven particularly detrimental for Newcastle, given their limited financial flexibility and the stringent rules of financial fair play that govern their transfer activities. Investing a significant portion of their constrained budget in a player who cannot contribute for 10 months has undoubtedly had far-reaching consequences. This saga of gambling addiction continues to cast a dark shadow, affecting not only Milan and Newcastle but, most crucially, Tonali himself.