Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has announced that Sandro Tonali, Newcastle’s £55m summer signing from AC Milan, will be banned from football for 10 months due to his involvement in betting on matches in Italy.
Tonali admitted to making bets on AC Milan matches during his time with the Serie A side.
As a result of this ban, he will not be able to play competitive football until August 2024, and he will also miss Italy’s Euro 2024 finals campaign if they qualify.
However, he is still free to train with Newcastle and play in friendlies.
The FIGC acted following an investigation by Turin prosecutors into football players using illegal websites to bet on games.
Tonali had been assisting the investigation, and his legal team has been working on a plea bargain after he admitted to making bets on AC Milan to win games in a hearing at the Italian Federation in Turin.
Without his cooperation, Tonali could have faced up to a three-year suspension under FIFA rules.
The federation has also mandated that Tonali attend treatment sessions for problem gamblers and give a series of talks about his experience over a further eight-month period as part of his deal with Italian authorities.
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The Professional Footballer’s Association (PFA) is working with the player to provide support, as well.
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina said that Tonali was suspended for 18 months, but eight of those months were commutable by attending treatment for gambling addiction and making at least 16 public appearances at centres for young soccer players and associations for recovering addicts.
Gravina added that it is essential to help the players recover, rather than just punishing them, and Tonali’s commitment to treatment and counselling will be an essential part of his rehabilitation.
Despite the ban, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has expressed the club’s commitment to Tonali long-term.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson, on the other hand, believes it’s a “tragedy” for Sandro Tonali to receive a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules, and describes the length of the suspension as “incredible.”
