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newcastle united Midfielder Sandro Tonali has had a prison sentence converted to a hefty fine to end a long-running illegal betting case against him and others in Italy.

Corriere Della Sera reports on the case today. They say Tonali asked for a fine of €78,250 rather than a prison sentence to drop the case.

Newcastle United star punished

The newspaper reports that sentencing has now been handed down over the case, with Tonali and Nicolo Fagioli facing prison sentences and being suspended by FIFA.

The two organizers of the case were sentenced to two years, three months and two years in prison. Meanwhile, three partners who own Milanese jewelery company Elysium Group SRL were sentenced to two and a half years in prison on money laundering charges.

That business served as a vehicle for footballers to pay off gambling debts. He would make regular bank transfers to buy luxury Rolex watches that he never collected. The watches were actually fake.

Tonali chooses penalty

Newcastle United midfielder and Fagioli were the prominent names in this case. But 18 other people including football players were also fined.

But Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Fagioli face additional punishment in the Milan criminal case. He was also accused of advertising illegal platforms to other players. There is a provision for a jail sentence of up to three months and a fine for that offence.

A plea bargain reduced it to a month, but the pair went their separate ways. While Fagioli opted for a suspended sentence, Tonali requested a fine be issued. It was assigned at €78,250 with an extended exchange rate of €250 per day.

This brings the matter to an end, giving Tonali and Fagioli a new lease of life to move forward. This could be crucial, particularly for the Newcastle man, who has been heavily linked with a potential return to Italy this summer.

The NBA’s investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard has dominated the league’s headlines. Los Angeles reportedly attempted to circumvent the NBA salary cap by paying money to Leonard through a bankrupt company called Aspiration. As of now, the NBA has not finalized its investigation; However, a franchise-altering decision may be coming.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix joins Rachel Nichols on Open Floor to discuss the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers. While the NBA continues to work on the scandal, the Clippers may receive a “basketball death sentence.”

“I don’t know what’s in that thing, but certainly a lot of people in NBA front offices around the league are speculating that something is going to happen,” Mannix said. “It’s some kind of punishment. Whether it’s a slap on the wrist or, you know, a basketball death penalty, I don’t know. But there’s a lot of curiosity right now about how close the NBA is getting to revealing all this.”

This would be a terrible outcome for Los Angeles, as it would cripple the organization for years to come. However, what is the NBA’s version of basketball death penalty likely to include?

Los Angeles Clippers’ potential penalties for Kawhi Leonard scandal

There is precedent for teams messing with the NBA salary cap. In 2000, the NBA voided Joe Smith’s contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves after circumventing the salary cap. Minnesota was also stripped of five first-round picks, fined $3.5 million, and officials Kevin McHale and Glenn Taylor were suspended.

The Clippers could face similar punishment; However, more drastic action may be taken. There are rumors that Leonard’s contract could also be voided, which would affect the Clippers’ immediate future as a playoff contender. This would bring the superstar forward into NBA free agency.

As of now, the Clippers have several first-round picks that could be traded away, so there won’t be a problem if the NBA decides to go that route. Meanwhile, the potential fine could exceed $3.5 million, as the value has increased over the past 26 years. Either way, Los Angeles could face devastating consequences from the NBA’s investigation.

It’s unclear when the NBA will release its findings, but the Clippers hope it won’t result in the NBA’s version of a “basketball death sentence.”

READ MORE: NBA could void Kawhi Leonard’s contract amid Los Angeles Clippers investigation

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky