Newcastle’s Tonali banned for 10 months for betting offenses

Agency :
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned from soccer for 10 months over breaches of rules on betting on matches in Italy, the head of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said on Thursday.

Tonali was sanctioned with an 18-month ban, eight of which will be commuted to alternative treatment, after an agreement was reached with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, the FIGC confirmed.

It will rule Tonali out for the remainder of the club season and next summer’s Euro 2024 tournament should Italy qualify.

The player was also given a fine of 20,000 euros ($21,084) for violating rules which prohibit betting on football events organized by FIGC, UEFA and FIFA.

Italy midfielder Tonali, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan this year, must also participate in a therapeutic plan lasting eight months as part of a deal with the FIGC.

This includes a cycle of at least 16 public meetings in Italy at amateur sports associations and centers for recovering gambling addicts.