Newcastle executives have been stunned by widespread reports in Italy that Sandro Tonali has admitted to placing bets on Milan matches during his time as a player at the Serie A club.
Tonali, who arrived at Newcastle in a £55m transfer from San Siro this summer, faces a lengthy ban from football if he placed such bets, potentially leaving a significant hole in Eddie Howe’s squad while also raising awkward questions about football’s vexed relationship with gambling.
