Massimo Cellino of Leeds United weighs in on the probe into a Newcastle United player.
As the October international break comes to an end, catch up on the latest Leeds United evening news.
On Wednesday, October 18, here are the latest Leeds United evening headlines.
Massimo Cellino, the former owner of Leeds United, weighs in on the Sandro Tonali probe.
Massimo Cellino, a former Leeds United owner, has spoken out about the ongoing Italian investigation into alleged illegal betting activities, which has resulted in Juventus midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo receiving a seven-month suspension. Newcastle United have revealed that midfielder Sandro Tonali is being investigated by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and the Italian Football Federation, and Cellino has come out in support of the former AC Milan player.
Tonali’s transition to professional football at Brescia was overseen by Cellino before the Italy international moved to AC Milan. Newcastle United paid £55 million for him in the summer, and the Magpies are now ready for a potentially lengthy ban.
However, the former Leeds owner insists Tonali is a ‘clean guy’ while everyone waits for the Italian authorities to make their next step.
“I can bet my soul he is a clean guy with principles,” Cellino said to the Telegraph. “All of my Brescia players adore him. When he first acquired money, he bought a car for his carpenter father. He bought a house for his mother, who was a nurse. Dishonest? Come on, people. They have no idea what they are doing to this youngster. How many others will follow Tonali’s example? I’m not interested in learning.
“He is a top player, a clean player who wanted to play football.” The first was about playing football, but Milan is a place that may attract bad company.”
Cellino took charge at Elland Road in 2014 and oversaw a turbulent era at the club before Andrea Radrizzani completed a full buy-out in the summer of 2017. He is now the owner of Serie B club Brescia.
