The Football Association has disclosed that Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has received a suspended ban and a £20,000 fine for breaching betting regulations.
The 23-year-old Italy international, who is currently serving a 10-month suspension from the Italian Football Federation for similar infractions, confessed to 50 breaches of FA Rule E8 by placing bets on football matches from August 12, 2023, to October 12, 2023.
An FA spokesperson said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali for misconduct in relation to The FA’s Betting Rules.
“The FA charged the midfielder with 50 breaches of FA Rule E8 for placing bets on football matches between 12 August 2023 and 12 October 2023, and he admitted to this.
“The independent Regulatory Commission imposed a two-month suspension from all football and football-related activity, which is suspended until the end of the 2024/25 season pending any further breaches of The FA’s Betting Rules, as well as a £20,000 fine and warning.”
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Tonali, a £55million summer signing from AC Milan, was handed an 18-month ban, reduced to 10 months, in October after an investigation into illegal betting conducted by the Italian Prosecutor’s Officer and the FIGC, and therefore cannot play until August 27.
Acknowledging the sanction, a Newcastle statement read: “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 10-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 team-mates.”
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