Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali was handed a new suspended two-month ban from football on Thursday for further breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules.
The Italian is already serving a 10-month ban handed down by the Italian Football Federation last October after betting on football matches when he was playing for Serie A giants AC Milan.
Tonali could have been banned for up to three years, but he admitted his guilt and co-operated with investigations to help reduce the severity of his punishment.
The 23-year-old joined Newcastle in a deal worth an estimated €70m last July, making him the most expensive Italian footballer of all time. But he played just 12 games in all competitions for the club before it was announced he was being investigated for illegal betting activity.
“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,” Newcastle announced in a club statement.
“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.”
Tonali will be free to return to action on August 27, providing he doesn’t commit any further betting offences, and consequently will play no part in Italy’s Euro 2024 campaign this summer.
