Former Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has launched a defense of Sandro Tonali.

The current Brescia owner is unhappy at how the self-confessed gambling addict is being treated.

Tonali, who was formerly with AC Milan and signed for Newcastle United this summer, is set for a lengthy ban from football.

The 23-year-old and Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo placed bets on an illegal platform, even on their own teams.

“I can bet my soul he is a clean guy with principles," Cellino told the Daily Telegraph.

“All my players in Brescia love him. The first time he had money he bought a car for his father, a carpenter.

"His mum was a nurse and he bought her a house. Dishonest? Come on. They don't realize what they are doing to this boy. If Tonali does that, how many others? I don't want to know.

“He is a top player, a clean player who wanted to become a football player, the first thing was about playing football but Milan is a city that can become very open to bad company."