Sandro Tonali And Nicolo Zaniolo Will Be Available For Their Respective Clubs Despite Betting Scandal
Written By Onyeka Daniel
Despite facing the prospect of a ban that can span more than a year, the pair of Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo have been called up by their respective clubs for this weekend games in the English Premier League, but it remains unclear if they will be in the right frame of mind to feature.
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Aston Villa confirmed that Zaniolo is assisting the FIGC and ‘relevant authorities into alleged illegal betting activity’ and that the Italy international is available for Sunday’s Premier League game against West Ham. Zaniolo is among those under investigation by the FIGC and Turin Prosecutor for illegal betting.
He was heard by Italian Police during the international break last week. However, contrary to his compatriots Nicolò Fagioli and Sandro Tonali, Zaniolo has denied gambling on football matches saying he only played poker and blackjack being unaware that he had been using illegal platforms. Aston Villa have now released the first statement about the Italian attacker.
“Aston Villa can confirm Nicolò Zaniolo is assisting the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the relevant authorities’ investigation into alleged illegal betting activity. The player has also met with senior officials at the club,” they said. “Zaniolo is training as normal with the first-team squad and is available for selection ahead of this weekend’s match with West Ham United. No further comment will be made by the Club during this ongoing process.”
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Zaniolo and Tonali were interrogated by Italian Police at Coverciano last week and immediately returned to their clubs. Therefore, they were not involved in games against Malta and England. Fagioli has already received a seven-month ban, while Tonali will likely be suspended for a year or more, but will be available for Saturday’s Premier League match between Newcastle and Crystal Palace.
Eddie Howe had earlier confirmed that Tonali is available for Newcastle for Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace and insists the club are supporting the Italian midfielder but ‘can’t comment’ on whether Milan knew about the addiction of their former midfielder. Howe spoke for the first time since a betting scandal involving Tonali erupted in Italy during the international break.
Tonali has been heard by the Turin and FIGC Prosecutors and admitted to gambling on Milan games while under contract with the Rossoneri. “Yeah he’s very much with us,” Howe said at a press conference. “He trained twice this week with us and he’s very much available for selection. Like I do with all the players, analyse their training performances, how they look, how they feel. Sandro has trained well with us.
“He’s had a very, very difficult couple of weeks. He’s been dealing with a lot and from what I can see, I see him for a few hours a day, he’s handling himself really well and he’s dealing with his emotions incredibly strongly, but underneath that, I’m sure there’s a lot going on,” continued the Newcastle coach. “I’ll have to make a call but I always have to bring it back to football.
“I have to bring it back to his training performances and what he’s delivering on the training pitch and then try and make the best decision for the team.” How did he learn about Tonali’s involvement? “I got a phone call from Dan Ashworth, I can’t remember what day it was but it was during the international break,” he said. “A total surprise to me, to him, to everybody. These are the things in this job and this role that can happen. As I said my immediate process was for Sandro and making sure he was ok. A very difficult period.
“There are so many different things in people’s personal lives that can happen. Footballers are human beings and to look at them anything other is wrong. We all have vulnerabilities, weaknesses, things that happen in our lives that can be difficult so the main thing is if we identify it, support the player as we’ll always do, try and help them get to their best level on the football pitch.”
Tonali joined Newcastle from Milan last summer in a deal believed to be worth €80m and Howe was asked whether the Rossoneri knew about the midfielder’s addiction. “That’s something I can’t comment on. My thought process is all about Sandro,” he said.
Recent reports have claimed there are no evidences the Rossoneri knew about Tonali’s problem or that he had gambled on their games although the Italian midfielder always bet on Milan to win. “The most important part of this whole incident is Sandro and his welfare,” added his coach. “It’s very easy for people to forget how young he is and the changes he’s had in his life coming from Italy to England. That’s hard enough to deal with and now he has this situation.
“We feel as a football club, straight away, it was throw our arms around him and protect him, give him the love and support that he needs to find solutions to the problems he’s had. That’s what we endeavour to do. We’ve had a lot of conversations, a lot of communication with him and his family.” Newcastle had released an official statement earlier this week to give support to Tonali and his family.
Meanwhile…
Italian side, Monza have issued a press release, revealing the club has received confirmation that Papu Gomez has been handed a two-year ban from the Spanish anti-doping commission over an incident that dates back to October 2022. Monza have confirmed that Gomez was found with traces of Terbutaline in his system, a medication typically used to treat shortness of breath caused by asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.
Terbutaline is included in section 3 of the FIGC’s list of prohibited substances for 2023-24. Monza write that the medication was taken by Gomez in October 2022, when he was still contracted to Sevilla, in response to a bronchitis-related issue. Recent reports suggest that the substance had been taken prior to Argentina’s triumphant campaign at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Monza confirm that they received a notification from FIFA via the FIGC regarding on Friday indicating the two-year sentence implemented by the Spanish anti-doping commission. The statement does, however, suggest that the substance had been taken involuntarily. Gomez has made just two appearances for Monza in Serie A since joining on a free transfer in September.
Read Also: Nicolo Barella Replies To Allegation Of Involvement In Betting Scandal As Former Atalanta Star Fails Doping Test
He had agreed a mutual termination of his contract with Sevilla, just under a year before his three-year deal was due to expire. Monza’s official statement read: “AC Monza announces that it has today received a notification from FIFA, through the FIGC, of the first sentence of the Spanish Anti-Doping Commission, issued against the footballer Alejandro Dario Gomez.
“The sentence provides for a two-year disqualification from sporting activities. The presence of Terbutaline was found in the footballer’s biological samples. “It is a drug taken to calm a bronchospasm issue, in October 2022, when the footballer was registered for Sevilla FC. “Positivity is the result of an involuntary assumption. “AC Monza reserves the right to evaluate the next procedural steps.”
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