(ANSA) – ROME, OCT 21 – AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli on
Saturday vowed to help former player Sandro Tonali with the
reported gambling addiction that sees him facing a lengthy ban
after admitting betting on AC during his time there from 2020
until his move to Newcastle in the close season.
Tonali, 23, is facing a possible ban of over a year after
admitting he always bet on Milan to win and after fellow Italy
midfielder Nicolò Fagioli of Juventus got a seven-month ban plus
five months activity telling young people not to imitiate him.
Speaking ahead of Sunday night’s top of the table clash with
Juve at the San Siro, with Milan top on 21 points and Juve third
behind Inter on 17, Pioli, who turned 58 Friday, said: “We were
surprised and shocked by this situation. Our thoughts go out to
Sandro. If I loved him ten times then now I love him a hundred.
He knows that if I can be of help I will always be at his side.
I will try to help him.
“I don’t want to judge him for what he may have done, but I
would like to judge him,” Pioli explained, “for how he will
manage to overcome this moment, for his desire to redeem
himself. And also become an example for others.” (ANSA).
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