Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali handed two-month suspended ban for breaching FA betting rules
Sandro Tonali has received a suspended two-month ban for breaching Football Association betting rules.
The Newcastle midfielder is currently serving a ten-month suspension, having been found guilty of breaching betting rules by the Italian Football Federation. He has not played since October and will not be eligible to return until August 27.
The FA’s charge relates to bets placed since Tonali’s move to Newcastle from AC Milan last summer, with the 23-year-old disclosing he placed “40 to 50” bets between August and October 2023.
“Up to four” of those were on Newcastle to win, including matches against Brentford, Manchester City and West Ham, and Tonali played in three of the game he bet on.
Tonali has been fined £20,000 and warned by the FA over his future conduct. The ban will be suspended for the 2024/25 campaign, meaning Tonali will not have to serve it provided he does not commit any further breaches during that period. He is free to return to the pitch once his Italian Football Federation suspension is over.
#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… pic.twitter.com/D3DprSAhBa— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 2, 2024
“Sandro is continuing to follow a therapeutic plan and educational programme with the club's full support and will continue to train with his team-mates,” Newcastle said in a statement.
An independent Regulatory Commission said: “[Tonali] self-reported the breaches at the earliest possible opportunity(on 20 October 2023) and has voluntarily disclosed all of the key evidence that The FA seeks to rely upon.
“Without ST’s proactive assistance in this matter, The FA would have no case. This fact is an essential aspect of this case.”
Referring to the ban Tonali is currently serving, the commission stated: “[Tonali] has therefore already served / will likely have done so by the time a hearing is scheduled, the maximum amount of time prescribed by The FA Betting Rules.
“It would be unfair, unjust and not within the interests of the wider game to impose upon [Tonali] a further ban when he has already served a considerable amount of time and has provided an extraordinary level of cooperation to The FA.”
