Sandro Tonali has been banned from all football for 10 months and placed on an eight-month rehabilitation programme after admitting to numerous breaches of betting rules.
The Newcastle midfielder was handed the sanction by the Italian FA (FIGC), a decision that will need to be ratified by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), the body that oversees all sport in Italy, and UEFA.
That is expected to be a formality which means Italy international Tonali will miss the rest of this season, the start of the 2024/5 campaign, as well as next summer’s European Championship should the Azzurri qualify.
Tonali admitted to using illegal platforms to place bets and also gambling on matches involving his former team Milan during his time in Serie A. He joined Newcastle for £55million in July.
The sanction for such misdemeanours can be up to three years but Tonali, 23, received an element of clemency after co-operating with investigators for the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office.
FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said: “The agreement has been reached for the plea bargain between the FIGC Federal Prosecutor’s Office and Sandro Tonali.
“The sanction for Tonali is 18 months: 10 months disqualification and eight months of alternative actions such as compliance with the rehabilitation plan and at least 16 in-person meetings.”
Tonali has come on as a substitute in Newcastle’s last two games – against Crystal Palace in the Premier League and last night’s 1-0 Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund – and been afforded a hero’s reception by the St James’ Park crowd.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has also said that the club would “throw their arms” around Tonali and support him after the player’s agent said his client was a “gambling addict”.
There has been talk Newcastle would take legal action against Milan but the Tyneside club have yet to comment publicly on whether that’s an avenue they wish to go down.
