Newcastle and Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali will be banned from playing football for 10 months for breaking Italian gambling regulations, Gabriella Gravina, the president of the Italian Football Federation ( FIGC) has confirmed.
This after Tonali admitted last week to placing bets on several matches including some in which he was involved for his former teams AC Milan and Brescia.
In Italy, Professional footballers are prohibited from betting on any competition organized by FIFA, UEFA or the FIGC. Doing so is punishable with a three-year ban, though this has been reduced due to a guilty plea.
As part of the agreement, Tonali will undergo an eight-month rehabilitation period as it’s been established he has a gambling addiction.
“The FIGC prosecutor and Tonali have reached an agreement which I have already approved,” Gravina said. “The agreement consists of a 10-month ban plus eight months of rehab activities and at least 16 public appearances.”
Tonali now joins Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli, who was last week banned for seven months as part of a settlement with the FIGC after breaching rules surrounding betting on matches.
His suspension was for 12 months, but five of those were suspended and he was fined €12,500 ( £10,843). Furthermore he also agreed to a treatment programme for gambling problems.
Tonali, who joined Newcastle last summer in July from Milan for a £55m fee will now miss the rest of the Premier League season and Euro 2024, should Italy qualify.
He however, will be able to continue training with Newcastle and will also have access to the club’s facilities.
