Sandro Tonali is being investigated again as part of an investigation into suspected illegal betting in Italy. The investigation involves a total of 12 players, it was announced on Friday.

The former Newcastle Premier League star served a ten-month ban in October 2023 for betting on matches, including for his then-team, AC Milan.

But prosecutors in Italy have opened investigations into 12 current and former Serie A players in a new case of illegal betting.

The investigations include former Manchester United player Angel Di Maria, now at Benfica, and Fiorentina’s Nicolo Fagioli, who like Tonali has already served a suspension for illegal betting.

Juventus’ Weston McKennie and Mattia Perin, Roma’s Leandro Paredes, Atalanta’s Raoul Bellanova and Torino’s Samuele Ricci are also being investigated. 

ANSA reported that all 12 players are being investigated for poker games and betting on sporting events on banned gambling platforms. It is not about football matches.

Prosecutors suspect that Tonali and Fagioli were financially rewarded for recruiting other players on clandestine platforms. 

On Friday, the Milan prosecutor’s office placed five people under house arrest for “illegal gambling activities and money laundering.”