Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been left ‘distressed and disheartened’ by the developing betting scandal involving him and Italy teammates Nicolo Zaniolo and Nicolo Fagioli.
That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport, who say there has been ‘no shortage of tears’ over the matter as the players face potential three years bans and worse.
The trio have been forced to leave the Italian set up during this international break after police raided their set up as part of an investigation into illegal betting.
The Newcastle midfielder and his teammates saw his phones, tablets and other electronic devices seized by police before leaving Italy’s group and holding crisis talks with his agents and lawyers and then heading back to England.
He was set to be a start for Italy in their clash with Malta but is instead now left what comes next in the police’s investigations.
Gazzetta say that those who have spoken to the player describe him as ‘distressed and disheartened’ by the events and that there has been ‘no shortage of tears’ over the matter.
He would never have wanted to be involved in such an affair but knows he’s made a mistake and faces serious consequences because of it.
The plan is to return to England tomorrow and speak to Newcastle, who have been following developments closely but are yet to make a decision until they have all the information available to them.
They’ll simply be supporting the player, listening to his story and then deciding what to do next, perhaps tasking Eddie Howe with the big job of getting Tonali back up and out of the misery he now finds himself in.
