Putting his career in jeopardy - Tonali confesses 'black market' betting

It is nothing new to hear professional footballers bet on sports matches - Ivan Toney, Kieran Trippier, Joey Barton, Andros Townsend, etc. It happens from time to time. But the current scandal rocking Italian football is special because three Azzurri players did illegal betting aka they did the deed on the 'black market'. The most resounding name out of the three is surely Sandro Tonali, who could be facing massive charges.

Tonali admitted to betting on football matches, including some games of his former team AC Milan, during questioning on Tuesday with criminal prosecutors in Turin, sources said on Wednesday.

The Italy and Newcastle United midfielder said the same thing on Sunday to Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) sporting prosecutors, the sources said.

Tonali has been named in a criminal probe into the use of illegal betting channels along with Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli and Aston Villa attacking midfielder Niccolò Zaniolo.

Sporting prosecutors are also looking into the case as professional footballers are not allowed to bet on soccer games due to the risk of match-fixing.

They face long bans for failing to respect this ban.

Tonali and Zaniolo were last week sent home from Italy's training camp for the the Euro 2024 qualifiers Malta and England after news of the case broke.

Fagiolo was banned from soccer for seven months on Tuesday after admitting betting on football matches, following a plea bargain.

Tonali's lawyers Maurizio M. Scaccabarozzi and Marco Feno said Wednesday that 23-year-old had "exhaustively clarified his position" during the questioning and provided "full cooperation to the investigating authorities".

Newcastle confirmed that the player was being investigated by sporting and criminal prosecutors and said that "he and his family will continue to receive the club's full support".

More names who were in the headlines in the past due to betting are Daniel Sturridge, Matt Le Tissier, Martin Demichelis...