As made his final appearance for a long time in Newcastle colours under lashing rain on Wednesday night, the fans in the Gallowgate end of St James’ Park sang about drinking Moretti and eating spaghetti. Supporters have rallied around the Italian as if he were one of their own, a Geordie, rather than an expensive new signing whose only meaningful contribution since in August is . Advertisement Compassion for Tonali has not been confined to Tyneside.
It’s estimated €100million in revenue was wiped out. Advertisement But anyone who watches football on TV or online in Italy will still see odds and betting lines read out as part of pre-game coverage. This is because AGCOM, the communications regulator, considers odds to be information — prompts for studio debates, the same as in-game stats — rather than advertising. This fudge has allowed clubs to strike partnerships with betting companies under the guise of infotainment.