The Football Association (FA) has officially sanctioned Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali for breaches of its betting regulations.
Tonali had been charged with 50 breaches of FA Rule E8 for placing bets on football matches between 12 August-12 October 2023, including wagers on Newcastle United fixtures.
The Italian striker admitted to the betting braces when charged by the FA. He has subsequently been fined £20,000, issued with a warning and handed a two-month suspension from all football and football-related activity.
However, a Newcastle United statement revealed that the suspension has itself been suspended until the end of the 2024/25 season. This will mean Tonali can return to playing for Newcastle once his ten-month ban issued on 27 October 2023 by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) expires later this year.
Tonali will be able to play on the Newcastle team for the full 2024/25 season unless he breaches betting rules again, in which case the two-month suspension will come into effect.
Newcastle’s statement concluded: “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.”
Betting breaches have led to some high-profile suspensions in the Premier League over the past year. Perhaps the most notable was the eight-month suspension of Brentford forward Ivan Toney in May 2023, followed four months later by the five-month suspension of Nottingham Forest defender Harry Toffolo.
