Italian authorities confirm gambling ban for Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali

NEWCASTLE: Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali will serve a 10-month ban from football, a statement from the Italian Football Federation has confirmed.

The 23-year-old midfielder has been investigated by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and FIGC in relation to illegal betting activity since early October. The investigations are thought to involve rule breaches while a player at his former club AC Milan. As yet, there has been no accusation in relation to betting while at the Magpies.

And according to Gabriele Gravina, president of the FIGC, Tonali, who played in Wednesday’s 1-0 Champions League loss to Borussia Dortmund, will be handed an 18-month reprimand, eight months of which will involve a rehabilitation program. The Italy international will, however, not be available should his country qualify for Euro 2024 and will not be allowed to kick a ball competitively for the Magpies until the end of August next year.

“An agreement has already been reached between the Federal Prosecutor’s Office and Sandro Tonali, which occurred before the referral, therefore it must be endorsed by the undersigned, which I have already done,” Gravina said.

“A plea bargain is envisaged for 18 months of which eight months is activity recovery, some concerns therapeutic activity and at least 16 face-to-face meetings as testimony.

“A plea bargain is foreseen, mitigating circumstances are foreseen, the boy’s collaborated beyond belief, so we continue to respect the rules we have set for ourselves.”

Newcastle are yet to release a club statement in response.

Head coach Eddie Howe has already pledged his support for Tonali, who, according to recent statements from his agent, is a confessed gambling addict.

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