ENGLAND can qualify for Euro 2024 with a draw against Italy at Wembley TONIGHT.
Azzurri will be without Newcastle midfield maestro Sandro Tonali for this evening’s clash – but why is the 23-year-old not available to play against the Three Lions?
Sandro Tonali will be unavailable for Italy’s Euro 2024 qualifier against England tonightGETTY
Why is Sandro Tonali not playing for Italy against England tonight?
Sandro Tonali and fellow Italian international Nicolo Zaniolo were removed from Italy’s squad over an alleged betting scandal.
The two were put under investigation last week, with over 40 players also suspected to be involved.
Tonali and Zaniolo will miss tonight’s Euro 2024 qualifier against England after being accused of placing bets in breach of Italian FA rules.
Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli has today been handed a seven-month man for breaching betting rules.
A statement from the Italian FA last week read: “The Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office has conducted investigations into players, Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, who are currently with the national team.
“Considering the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the matches scheduled for the next few days, the Federation has decided to allow them to return to their clubs.”
A potential three-year ban is in the offing if they are found to be guilty.
What did Sandro Tonali’s agent say about the alleged betting scandal?
Speaking at an event at the Italian embassy in London, Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso said: “Sandro suffers of gambling addiction. He’s fighting to avoid that and I’m sure he will win this difficult game.
“He is in shock, he is shaken and sad. I hope that this experience saves his life and that of many others, that it helps those who fall into the same habit as him.”
He then added: “Sandro is training, and on Saturday he could also play.
“He understood that he has to face this problem in a determined way. The club is absolutely at the moment on his side.”
What TV channel is England vs Italy on and can it be live streamed FREE?
England vs Italy will be shown live on Channel 4 in the UK.You can live stream the action from the My4 app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.You can watch England vs Italy for FREE, so long as you have a valid TV licence. Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
