Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali could face a lengthy playing ban after it was reported he has admitted to breaching betting rules.
Tonali, signed by Newcastle from AC Milan for £55million in July, is being investigated by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and Italian Football Federation “in relation to illegal betting activity”.
The 23-year-old was one of several players named in an Italian football betting probe last week and on Wednesday Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was given a seven-month suspension by the FIGC on Tuesday for breaching betting rules.
Newcastle confirmed in a statement on Wednesday the player was being investigated.
The club said: “Newcastle United can confirm that Sandro Tonali is subject to investigation by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in relation to illegal betting activity.
“Sandro is fully engaging with the investigation and will continue to cooperate 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.”
Tonali scored in the Magpies’ opening-day 5-1 home win against Aston Villa and has made six further Premier League appearances.
It has been reported that Tonali admitted at a hearing on Tuesday to betting on matches involving his former club Milan.
Tonali and Aston Villa forward Nicolo Zaniolo, on loan from Galatasaray, last week returned to their clubs from Italy’s training camp after it emerged they were being investigated.
Italy team-mate Fagioli was given a seven-month ban on Tuesday by the FIGC for breaching betting rules.
He had five months of a one-year ban suspended and was fined 12,500 euros (£10,848), while he agreed to a therapy plan of at least six months to tackle his gambling problem, the FIGC announced.
Glasner wants to change Palace direction ahead of Forest trip
Oliver Glasner acknowledged Crystal Palace are "not going in the right direction" in the Premier League as his struggling side prepare to visit Nottingham Forest on Monday.
The Eagles sit in the relegation zone after going winless through their first seven league games before the October international break.
Glasner spent the pause for international football with his family in Austria, though struggled to "switch off" with his mind intent on atoning for Palace's drab start.
Palace were defeated 1-0 by high-flying Liverpool last time out in the competition, their fourth loss of the campaign, and an honest Glasner conceded change is needed.
"Regarding the results, no, we are not going in the right direction," Glasner said. "We wanted and expected a little bit more. Everything isn't so settled at the moment."
His message to Palace before their trip to the City Ground remains clear, however.
"Stick together, work hard and let's improve because then we can get the results," the Austrian added in a defiant pre-match rallying cry.
Forest, by contrast, have impressed through a difficult start to the season against high-quality opposition, managing a 1-1 draw away to Chelsea last time out despite James Ward Prowse's second-half dismissal.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo will not be on the touchline against Palace, however, after being handed a three-game ban for "unacceptable behaviour" in the 2-2 draw with Brighton before the international break.
"It's tough. We're going to be in permanent contact and what is important is that we prepare well and the players are ready to compete," Nuno said of his absence.
"I'm surprised. It's a big sanction but there's nothing we can do. It's not for me to judge.
"My job is to move forward and make sure the coaching staff are ready to help the team. We had a hearing, everything was normal. The sanction has been decided. Let's go."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood
Chris Wood has scored six of Forest’s last nine Premier League goals, and has 19 goals for them overall in the division.
The New Zealand international is looking to become just the third player to hit the 20-goal mark for Forest in the competition, after Bryan Roy (24) and Stan Collymore (22).
Crystal Palace – Eberechi Eze
Only Erling Haaland (35) and Antoine Semenyo (31) had more shots in the Premier League this season – before the October international break – than Eberechi Eze (27), who has struggled without Michael Olise.
Eze has just one goal in the competition for those efforts, though, with his 3.7% shot conversion rate leaving Glasner needing more from his star attacker.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Though Palace have struggled this campaign, a draw appears the most likely result with little to separate these two sides for Monday's clash.
Forest are winless in their last seven home matches across all competitions (D4 L3), their longest such run since October 2020 (also seven), with Nuno needing to find a solution.
A point apiece also seems probable considering five of the last six league meetings between this pair have ended in draws, including the last three matches in a row.
That run still leaves Forest unbeaten in their last seven league meetings with Palace (W2 D5), while the Eagles are winless in their 10 previous top-flight clashes with Monday's hosts.
Only considering Premier League clashes, Forest have never lost in eight outings against Palace (W3 D5) – both the most they’ve faced a side without losing and the most the Eagles have faced a team without winning in the competition.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nottingham Forest win – 38.6%
Draw – 27.8%
Crystal Palace win – 33.6%
Glenmuir, Happy Grove, Frome Technical book Round of 16 spots with consecutive wins
There was chaos at Carder Park in Portland as the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Wata daCosta Cup second round contest between former champions Glenmuir High and Titchfield High was briefly halted due to darkness on Saturday.
As the natural light faded, anticipation was that the lights at the venue would have been turned on by the ground personnel. However, a delay in doing so caused a pause in the game with Glenmuir leading 2-0 and 25 minutes plus added time to play, leaving fans disgruntled.
After about a 15-minute pause, the lights were eventually turned on, and Glenmuir saw off the remaining minutes to make it consecutive wins as they booked their spot in the Round of 16.
Orel Miller and Orane Watson scored the goals for Glenmuir High, who heads Group 7 on six points, three ahead of reigning champions Clarendon College, who registered a 3-1 win over Paul Bogle, also on three points. Titchfield is yet to get on the board.
Meanwhile, Happy Grove edged Denbigh High 4-3 in their Group 5 clash, which served as the curtain-raiser for the Glenmuir, Titchfield clash at Carder Park. The win, Happy Grove's second on the trot, secured them a spot in the Round of 16 as they sit comfortably atop the standings on six points.
Belair (one point), Denbigh (one point), and Holmwood Technical (zero point) complete Group 5.
Frome Technical also secured a Round of 16 berth with a 2-0 win over Black River High in Santa Cruz. Frome Technical remain at the summit of Group 2 on six points, two ahead of Ocho Rios High, who won their encounter 4-0 over Cedric Titus.
Saturday’s results
Maldon High 0, Alphansus Davis 2
Black River High 0, Frome Tech 2
STETHS 0, Manchester High 0
Spot Valley High 1, Kemps Hill High 2
Happy Grove High 4, Denbigh High 3
Titchfield High 0, Glenmuir High 2
Port Antonio High 4, Yallahs High 1
Rusea’s High 1, Cornwall College 1
Ocho Rios High 4, Cedric Titus High 0
Browns Town High 2, Munro College 1
William Knibb Memorial 0, Mannings School 1
Paul Bogle High 1, Clarendon College 3
Christiana High 4, St Mary High 0
Holmwood Tech vs Belair High (postponed)
Dinthill Technical 0, Central High 0
Garvey Maceo High 2, McGrath High 2
Presentation College close gap at top of SSFL Premier Division to four points after 2-0 win over San Juan North
Presentation College closed the gap between them and leaders St. Benedict’s College in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) to four points with a 2-0 win over San Juan North Secondary on Saturday.
A second half double from Vaughn Clement gave Presentation the win and moved them to 28 points from 11 games with a game in hand on the leaders.
Clement’s goals came in the 56th and 89th minutes.
Leaders St. Benedict’s dropped points after being held to a 1-1 draw by Signal Hill Secondary. The prolific Derrel Garcia gave St. Benedict’s the lead in the 55th minute before Kyle James equalized for Signal Hill 20 minutes from full time.
Defending champions Fatima College were the biggest winners of the day, 5-1 over East Mucurapo Secondary.
Liam Gooding (41’) and Michael Chaves (43’) scored in quick succession to give Fatima a 2-0 lead going into the halftime interval before Keysan Haynes gave East Mucurapo life in the 60th minute to make it 2-1.
That hope was quickly dashed as Seth Hadeed (64’) made it 3-1 before Josiah Gobin (74’, 86’) completed the scoring. Fatima remain third in the standings with 26 points from their 12 outings.
Other results on Saturday:
Arima North Secondary 2-0 St. Mary’s College
Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School 3-2 Malick Secondary
Queen’s Royal College 4-1 Trinity College East
Speyside Secondary 0-1 St. Anthony’s College
St. Augustine Secondary 3-1 Naparima College
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