Newcastle United and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali banned from football for 10 months after betting offences

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, has been handed a 10-month ban from soccer by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) due to violations of betting rules.

The ban was announced on October 26th, 2023, and is expected to apply at international level as well. This means that Tonali will be unable to participate in the remainder of the club season and potentially the Euro 2024 tournament, should Italy qualify.

Tonali, who transferred from AC Milan to Newcastle in July for a record-breaking fee of 70 million euros ($74 million), is the most high-profile player implicated in a betting scandal currently shaking Italian soccer. His agent has disclosed that Tonali is battling a gambling addiction.

In addition to his ban, Tonali is required to attend treatment sessions for problem gamblers and deliver a series of talks about his experiences over an additional eight-month period. This agreement was confirmed by FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.

“The rules set out a certain number of years of sanctions, plea-bargaining is allowed as are extenuating circumstances,” Gravina told reporters as quoted by Reuters.

“The lads have been incredibly cooperative so we continue to follow the rules as they are set out,” he added.

The investigation into illegal betting platforms used by soccer players in Italy has also implicated other players. Nicolo Fagioli, a midfielder for Juventus, accepted a seven-month ban after admitting to having gambling problems. Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo is also cooperating with authorities in their investigation.

Tonali and Zaniolo were both released from Italy’s squad before their Euro 2024 qualifiers earlier this month when they were informed of their involvement in the investigation by Turin prosecutors. As of now, there has been no comment from Newcastle United regarding Tonali’s situation.