Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali charged by FA for alleged breaches of betting rules
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe expressed hope that midfielder Sandro Tonali will not face further consequences after being charged by the Football Association for alleged breaches of betting rules. The 23-year-old, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan for £55m in July, is already serving a 10-month ban for breaking betting regulations in Italy.
Tonali has sought help and is dealing with the situation, according to Howe. The FA alleges that Tonali placed 50 bets on matches between 12 August and 12 October 2023, while also facing separate allegations during his time at Newcastle.
Tonali’s agents GR Sports confirmed that Tonali voluntarily reported himself to the FA earlier this season, stating that the investigation is related to recurring incidents prior to his move to England. Tonali’s current ban runs until August and involves breaches of FIGC rules on betting on football events organized by FIGC, Uefa, and Fifa.
Howe emphasized that Tonali is seeking help regularly and has meetings both in England and Italy to address the issue. Despite his suspension, Tonali is allowed to train with his teammates but cannot participate in competitive matches.
Historically, Brentford striker Ivan Toney returned from an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules in January, highlighting the seriousness of such infractions in football.
Tonali has until 5 April to respond to the FA’s charges, with the hope of resolving the proceedings as quickly as possible while focusing on his rehabilitation journey. The issue serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining player integrity and upholding the FA’s regulations to safeguard the integrity of the sport.