Newcastle ‘threaten AC Milan with multi-million pound lawsuit’ over Sandro Tonali, with £52m gambling-addict midfielder

Newcastle have reportedly threatened AC Milan with a multi-million pound lawsuit as their midfielder Sandro Tonali prepares to be hit with a lengthy ban from the sport.

Mail Sport revealed on Wednesday morning that Tonali is set to be given a 10-month suspension for illegal betting on football, which will rule him out for the remainder of the season.

However, the ban is not likely to arrive officially before their Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund at St James’ Park and Tonali will be available to Eddie Howe. Any suspension is only effective from the following day.

The shocking news comes less than four months after he joined the Premier League club from AC Milan for £52million.

Now, according to Corriere dello Sport, they are seriously considering filing a lawsuit against Milan, having been left angry with the Italian giants for selling them a player that is now set to be unavailable for the majority of the season.

The Italian midfielder has admitted to betting on his own teams to win matches, and his agent recently claimed the 23-year-old is a gambling addict.

Tonali’s suspension will include eight months of therapy and participating in anti-gambling initiatives.

Corriere dello Sport claim Tonali’s €8million-a-year (£7m) salary will be suspended by Newcastle but the club are yet to confirm this to Mail Sport.

Aston Villa‘s Nicolo Zaniolo, Juventus‘ Nicolo Fagioli and Newcastle United‘s Tonali were all named as part of an investigation being conducted by Turin prosecutors that rocked Italian football.

Juventus midfielder Fagioli was also handed a seven-month ban last week, although the club have agreed to pay his full wages and he will continue to train with the first-team.

The 22-year-old secured a significant reduction on the usual minimum sanction of a three-year ban for such offences after admitting his guilt and collaborating with officials.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa confirmed that Zaniolo is assisting the investigation and has recently met with senior club officials. He started in midfield for Villa against West Ham on Sunday.

Tonali, similarly, made an admission of guilt and willingness to seek treatment for what his agent described as a ‘gambling addiction’, in a bid to reduce any potential ban.

Tonali has made just 11 appearances for Newcastle since his summer move from Milan, and has struggled for consistency on Tyneside.