Sandro Tonali is 'clean' with principles despite betting scandal, says former club owner

Sandro Tonali has been backed by Brescia owner Massimo Cellino as a “clean” player with principles as the Newcastle United midfielder faces a potential ban over illegal betting in Italy.

Cellino, who has been a father-figure during Tonali’s career, says the investigation into Tonali is trying to destroy the career of the player he brought into senior football before granting his dream move to AC Milan.

It has been widely reported in Italy that Tonali, who is being investigated for betting on illegal platforms, had gambled on Milan matches during his three seasons after leaving Brescia for the San Siro.

“I can bet my soul he is a clean guy with principles,” Cellino told Telegraph Sport. “All my players in Brescia love him. The first time he had money he bought a car for his father, a carpenter. His mum was a nurse and he bought her a house. Dishonest? Come on. They don’t realise what they are doing to this boy. If Tonali does that, how many others? I don’t want to know.

“He is a top player, a clean player who wanted to become a football player. The first thing was about playing football but Milan is a city that can become very open to bad company.”

Sky Italia and Gazzetta dello Sport say Tonali has admitted to Italian prosecutors that he bet on Milan matches when he was not playing. “If he bets, it was to win. He needs money? It’s not Tonali,” Cellino said.

Cellino, who owned Leeds United between 2014 and 2016, has stayed close to Tonali since he broke into the Brescia team, setting up an initial loan to Milan so he could play for the club he supported as a boy.

“I have always been close to him. When I asked him to do something for me, he did it in the best way. We were relegated and I let him go on the loan with an option to Milan because I believed in him very much,” Cellino said.

“He was lonely. He was coming back to Brescia to see his friends every week and he didn’t have his driving license so I told him, give me a present and take some lessons. When he passed he sent me a picture. We are talking about 2020 and still he is only 23. What can I say? He is different? No, he is the same young boy. If he is involved in a stupid thing, it is with friends who don’t give a sh-- and take advantage. I would trust him 100 per cent because that is not Sandro Tonali.

“I spoke in the summer Ferragosto, which is the bank holiday in summer in Italy, and I told him, remember you are in Newcastle to play football, don’t get depressed. Just think about playing, that is your career, that is your job. It is tough but be strong. He said he was very proud to be at a big club. He became a footballer and supported Milan as a kid but he knows it is his profession. He said they made him feel important in Newcastle and loved him.”

Newcastle are braced for a lengthy ban for Tonali. For the moment he is free to train and set to be available for his team’s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Giuseppe Riso, his agent, has disclosed that his client is battling a “betting addiction” and also welcomed comments from Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina that Tonali and Aston Villa winger Nicolo Zaniolo, who is also under investigation, should not be condemned over the claims they used illegal betting platform.

It is understood that Newcastle were unaware of Tonali’s gambling addiction when they signed him in the summer. They will continue to involve him in their preparations for Palace until told otherwise.

Juventus and Italy midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was yesterday handed a 12-month ban - five of them suspended - and fined £10,850 for breaching rules on betting. The punishment includes a treatment for gambling addiction but means there is potential for him to still play in next summer’s European Championship.

“Newcastle United can confirm that Sandro Tonali is subject to investigation by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and Italian Football Federation in relation to illegal betting activity,” a Newcastle statement read.

“Sandro is fully engaging with the investigation and will continue to co-operate with all relevant authorities. He and his family will continue to receive the club’s full support.

“Due to this ongoing process, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to offer further comment at this time.”