Tonali suffers from 'gambling addiction', confirms his agent

In a statement, the FIGC confirmed that midfielder Tonali and forward Zaniolo, who both play in England with Newcastle United and Aston Villa respectively, had been formally informed of the probe by prosecutors from Turin at the Azzurri's Coverciano training centre.

Tonali became the most expensive Italian footballer when Newcastle bought him from AC Milan in the summer, and the 23-year-old has played 15 times for his country.

The 23-year-old is being investigated by criminal prosecutors for alleged gambling offences but he is expected to confirm he suffers from an addiction problem. However, his agent Giuseppe Riso already did so for him on Tuesday.

"Sandro suffers from gambling addiction. He’s fighting to avoid that and I’m sure he will win this difficult game. He’s sad and still in shock. I hope this gambling addition issue will help to save Sandro’s life as well as many other young guys affected by same problem," he told reporters.

Riso went on to add: "Sandro understood that he has to focus on this issue and face gambling addition with strong, determined approach."