Newcastle star Sandro Tonali has been hit with a suspended betting ban and a fine by the independent FA commission.
Tonali is already midway through a 10 month ban, imposed in October, after being found guilty of breaching rules on gambling by the Italian Football Federation.
And as per an FA Report, the Italy international has now been hit with a fresh suspended two-month ban and fined £20,000 after admitting to breaching betting rules while under the jurisdiction of the English FA.
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The FA report said Tonali admitted he had made “40 to 50” football bets which included “up to four” bets on Newcastle, all of which were on them to win.
The ban is fully suspended for the duration of the 2024/25 season.
That means the midfielder will be free to return to first team action for Newcastle on August 27, 2024, upon the conclusion of the original Italian FA charge.
Announcing the suspended ban, a Newcastle statement said: "Newcastle 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.
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"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.
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"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’s agent Beppe Riso stated back in October that his client had been suffering from a “gambling illness”.
Topics: Sandro Tonali, Italy, Football
Chris Byfield