Sandro Tonali given further punishment by FA after Newcastle midfielder admits breaching betting rules
NEWCASTLE midfielder Sandro Tonali has been given a further two-month suspended ban after admitting breaches of FA’s betting rules.
The Magpies confirmed the news on social media, with the Italian also receiving a £20,000 fine and a warning from the FA regarding his future conduct.
Tonali had already been banned for 10 months by the Italian FA back in October for breaching betting rules.
The new ban is a suspended punishment throughout the 2024/25 campaign, meaning he will still be eligible to return to action at the end of his initial ban on October 27.
The two-month ban will only be served if he commits further betting breaches.
Newcastle‘s statement read: “NUFC midfielder Sandro Tonali has been given a suspended two-month ban from competitive football by an independent Regulatory Commission after self- declaring breaches of FA Betting Rules.
“He has also been fined £20,000 and warned by the FA as to his future conduct.
“The banning period 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 an existing ten-month sanction imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on 27 October 2023.
“Provided that he does not commit any further breach of the FA Betting Rules during the suspension period, Sandro will not serve any part of the two-month sanction.
“As acknowledged by the FA in the independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons, the level of assistance Sandro has provided by self-referring and fully cooperating with a subsequent investigation is extraordinary and unprecedented.
“Sandro made full admissions as to his betting activity, and did so in circumstances where there was no other evidence to support misconduct proceedings.
“Sandro is continuing to follow a therapeutic plan and educational programme with the club’s full support and will continue to train with his teammates.”
Tonali joined Newcastle for £55million from AC Milan in the summer.
He started five of the club’s opening nine Premier League games, before he was charged with the betting breaches and suspended.
His last match came in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund on October 25.
Speaking about the situation earlier in the season, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: “The most important part of this whole incident is Sandro and his welfare.
“It’s very easy for people to forget how young he is and the changes he’s had in his life, coming from Italy to England. That’s hard enough to deal with and now he has this situation.
“Straight away, it was throw our arms round him and protect him, and try to give him the love and support he needs to try to find solutions to the problems that he’s had.
“That’s what we’re endeavouring to do with a lot of conversations, a lot of communication with him and his family. It’s the people around him that are going to be so important to him as well.
“It’s a big effort from us and he’s handled himself superbly. He’s obviously emotional but handled himself with respect and dignity.”