Sandro Tonali handed 10-month football ban for betting breaches
Italian FA announces the midfielder will also have to attend eight months of therapy and participate in anti-gambling initiatives
Sandro Tonali has been handed a 10-month ban from professional football by the Italian Football Association (FIGC) for betting breaches while he was at AC Milan.
Under Article 24 of the CGS, the FIGC’s Code of Sports Justice, professional players in Italy are prohibited from betting on any event organised by FIFA, UEFA or the FIGC.
The Article states that if the rules are breached, it is punishable by a three-year ban, though this may be reduced with a guilty plea.
The Newcastle United midfielder’s lawyers reached an agreement with the FIGC that will also see the Italian spend eight months in therapy, including participation in anti-gambling initiatives.
The ban applies to club and international football and will see Tonali suspended for next summer’s UEFA Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, should Italy qualify, and the beginning of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Despite reports that UEFA did not want Tonali to take part in last night’s (25 October) Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund until a decision arrived.
Tonali was able to come off the bench for Newcastle, but was unable to prevent the Magpies losing 1-0.
Speaking to Sky Italia, FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said: “An agreement has been reached between the federal prosecutor and Sandro Tonali.
“The plea agreement is for 18 months, of which eight months is for rehabilitation, which involves therapeutic activity and making at least 16 public appearances.
“The rules call for a certain number of years of suspension, but the plea bargain and extenuating circumstances have been taken into consideration and the players’ collaboration went above and beyond, therefore we must continue to respect the rules we have established for ourselves,” he added.
Tonali is the second player to be suspended in the investigation by the FIGC. Earlier this month, Juventus starlet Nicolò Fagioli was given a seven-month ban by the FIGC and a fine of €12,500.
While the investigation was underway, Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, revealed that the former AC Milan star was suffering from a gambling addiction.
He said: “Sandro is playing an important game against gambling addiction: but he will win this one too. Congratulations to Newcastle, who have always been at Sandro’s side.
“He is in shock, he is shaken and sad. I hope that this experience saves his life and that of many others, that it helps those who fall into his same habit.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, speaking at the club’s pre-match press conference ahead of the Magpies’ game against Crystal Palace last Saturday, said the club had offered the Italian its full support in this matter.
Howe commented: “We feel as a football club, straight away, it was to throw our arms around him and protect him, to give him the love and support he needs to find solutions to the problems he has.
“That’s what we’re endeavouring to do through a lot of conversations, a lot of communication with him and his family because it’s not just Sandro.”
Tonali is the third Premier League star to be issued with a ban for betting offences following the suspended ban issued to Harry Toffolo last month and the eight-month ban handed to Brentford forward Ivan Toney in May.
The Newcastle midfielder’s 10-month ban is the longest ban issued to a Premier League player for betting offences since Joey Barton was banned for 18 months in April 2017 after the Football Association (FA) found the ex-Manchester City midfielder had placed 1,260 bets on football matches between 2006 and 2013.
This was reduced to 13 months following an appeal by Barton.