Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali has agreed to a 10-month ban from football after being found guilty of illegal gambling on football matches according to sources, the midfielder will also take part in an gambling rehab plan to ensure he is fully rehabilitated before returning to football.
🚨⚪️⚫️ Sandro Tonali will be banned for 10 month — sources confirm final indications, waiting on statement.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 25, 2023
He won’t be able to play for 10 months due to gambling addition scandal.
There will be additional months of participation in gambling rehab plan, same as Nicoló Fagioli. pic.twitter.com/USw2ynRE9V
The 23-year-old Newcastle United player had been under investigation by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for allegedly betting on Serie A games while he was still a player for former club AC Milan. It is against regulations for players to bet on any football matches.
According to reports in the Daily Mail , Tonali’s lawyers have been negotiating with the FIGC over the past few weeks. They have now agreed on a 10-month suspension from all football activities.
Tonali Season Over
This ban will rule Tonali out for the rest of the 2022-23 season with Newcastle. He will not be eligible to play again until August 2023 at the earliest. This result of the ban will have a big impact on Newcastle United, who have been flying in recent times and now lose their star midfielder for nearly a year in this season’s competitive battle for the Top 4.
Italian law stipulates that players can face bans of up to 3 years for illegal betting offenses. However, the FIGC decided that a 10-month suspension was sufficient punishment given it is Tonali’s first offense.
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan last summer in a £35 million transfer. He had made 12 appearances for the Magpies so far this season before news of the investigation emerged in October.
The Premier League have not made a comment and Newcastle are said to be assessing all legal options as they may be disgruntled if Milan were aware of this before the transfer and could seek compensation.
The ban serves as a reminder to all professional footballers about the strict rules around gambling on football. Tonali will now have to wait until next season before playing competitive football again following his suspension.
