SandroTonali: Newcastle Midfielder Charged With Alleged Breaches of English Betting Rules

SandroTonali: Newcastle Midfielder Charged With Alleged Breaches of English Betting Rules

Isaac Darko
March 28, 2024 at 2:45 PM
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  • Sandro Tonali was hit with a 10-month ban for betting on illegal platforms
  • He has now been linked with 50 alleged incidents of betting on matches
  • Tonali was the second Italian player to receive a lengthy ban for betting

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has been charged with misconduct by England's Football Association relating to 50 alleged incidents of betting on matches, the governing body announced Thursday.

Tonali's multiple alleged breaches of FA rule E8 are said to have taken place between August 12, 2023 and October 12, 2023.

The 23-year-old has until April 5 to respond.

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was found to have gambled on matches involving his former club AC Milan
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was found to have gambled on matches involving his former club AC Milan. Photo by Gabriel Bouys
Source: AFP

In October last year, it was announced Tonali would miss the rest of the season for club and country after FIFA, football's global governing body, ratified a 10-month ban by Italian authorities for breaching betting rules.

He will also miss Italy's defence of their European Championship title in the June-July finals in Germany.

Tonali's agent has previously said his client, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July for around £55 million ($69 million, 64 million euros), has a gambling addiction.

As well as the 10-month ban, Tonali was fined 20,000 euros and ordered to undergo an eight-month course of therapy to address his problems after reaching a plea bargain following an investigation into illegal betting conducted by the Italian prosecuting authorities and the Italian Football Federation.

Newcastle, reacting to Thursday's announcement by the FA, said in a statement via The Athletic:

"Newcastle United acknowledges a misconduct charge received by Sandro Tonali in respect of alleged breaches of FA betting rules.
"Sandro continues to fully comply with relevant investigations and he retains the club's full support.
"Due to this ongoing process, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to offer further comment at this time."

Toney and other players banned for betting

Sports Brief reported on Ivan Toney and other players banned for betting after Tonali's suspension was announced on Wednesday.

Brentford striker Toney was the most recent high-profile Premier League star suspended for betting before the FIGC's massive investigation into betting on illegal platforms.

Lower division player Kynan Isaac received the longest ban after he was suspended for 12 years and will not play again until 2034.

Authors
Isaac Darko photo
Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)