Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has been suspended for 10 months by the Italian Football Federation for the use of illegal gambling sites and for betting on soccer matches while he was playing in Italy.
Tonali’s ban is set to apply worldwide — meaning he would be ineligible to play for Newcastle the rest of the 2023-24 season or play for Italy in Euro 2024. The penalty came after Tonali agreed to the punishment as part of a plea bargain following an investigation into Tonali and other players’ betting habits.
The 23-year-old midfielder joined Newcastle from AC Milan over the summer and was Newcastle’s highest-profile signing of the offseason. He’s accused of using illegal gambling websites while playing in Italy and betting on AC Milan matches while he was with the team. He could have been suspended for three years according to Italian rules, but was able to have his sentence significantly reduced as part of his cooperation agreement.
“If Tonali had not been so transparent, he could have faced a ban of up to three years” 🗣
Keith Downie breaks down the terms behind Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali’s 10 month ban from football over betting scandal. 👇pic.twitter.com/wQdbipZ2fB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 26, 2023
Tonali’s agent has said that Tonali has a gambling addiction and the player is going to therapy. Gazzetta reported last week that Tonali had admitted to betting on Milan games that he didn’t participate in.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe last week said that he stood by Tonali.
“I see the person, I see the human, I see the pain and distress,” Howe said. “That’s why my thoughts are always with the player and making sure we look after him. Sandro loves the game and is absolutely devastated.”
Tonali spent three seasons at AC Milan before he was purchased by Newcastle. Tonali started 61 of 70 league games over the last two seasons and played a pivotal role as Milan won the 2021-22 Serie A title. He’s played in eight Premier League games for Newcastle this season with five starts and a goal.
His ban comes after Juventus player Nicolo Fagioli was given a seven-month ban after he admitted to betting offenses. Like Tonali, Fagioli reached an agreement for a reduced penalty. Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo has also been implicated in the betting scandal after Italian police showed up at an Italian national team training session earlier this month during an international break.
After police came to question both Tonali and Zaniolo, the players were released from international duty.
