Newcastle’s Tonali gets 10-month ban by Italy FA for betting،
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali will be banned from football for 10 months for breaching match betting rules in Italy, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on Thursday.
Italian midfielder Tonali, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan this year, is also due to attend treatment sessions for problem players and give a series of lectures about his experience over a further eight months in the framework of an agreement with the FIGC.
The plea agreement, which is expected to apply to international football, was confirmed by FIGC president Gabriele Gravina. This will rule Tonali out for the remainder of the club’s season and next summer’s Euro 2024 tournament.
Tonali, 23, is the most high-profile player involved in a betting scandal rocking Italian football.
FIFA and FIGC regulations meant Tonali could have faced a three-year suspension, but his cooperation with the investigating authorities – the FIGC and the Italian prosecutor’s office – led to a reduction in the duration of his suspension.
The 23-year-old is one of three Italian footballers whose gambling activities have been investigated by authorities.
Tonali and international teammate Nicolò Zaniolo were sent back to their respective clubs from Italy’s training camp on October 12 after being informed by police of their involvement in a betting investigation.
Both players featured in the Premier League last weekend, with Tonali coming off the bench for Newcastle, while Zaniolo played 76 minutes for Aston Villa.
Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, said last week that the player was “struggling with a gambling addiction” and was “shocked, shaken and sad” due to his situation.
ESPN reported last week that Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was handed a seven-month ban with a further five months suspended by the FIGC for violating betting rules. He was also fined €12,500 ($13,235) for offenses related to betting on football events organized by the FIGC, FIFA or UEFA.
Tonali has made 11 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions this season and scored one goal.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report
