Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been handed a suspended two-month ban after breaching Football Association (FA) betting rules.
The Italy international, 23, is already midway through a 10 month ban, imposed in October, after being found guilty of breaching rules on gambling by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
That suspension covered bets laid while under the jurisdiction of the Italian FA, the English FA’s charge covered alleged gambling since he joined Newcastle from AC Milan in a €70million (£59.8m, $75.6m) transfer in July.
The FA report confirmed Tonali disclosed he had made “40 to 50” football bets which included “up to four” bets on Newcastle, all of which were on them to win.
He has also been fined £20,000 and warned by the FA as to his future conduct.
The ban is fully suspended for the duration of the 2024/25 season, meaning he will be available to return to competitive football upon the conclusion of the FIGC suspension on October 27 providing he does not commit any further breach.
Speaking in October, Tonali’s agent Beppe Riso stated that his client had been suffering from a “gambling illness”.
Tonali has been allowed to train with Newcastle throughout the suspension, unlike Brentford striker’s Ivan Toney’s case.
Newcastle say Tonali will continue to follow a therapeutic plan and educational programme with the club’s full support.
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(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
