Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali handed two-month ban by FA

Newcastle United announced on Thursday, May 2, that midfielder Sandro Tonali has received a two-month suspended ban from the Football Association (FA) for violating betting regulations.

This decision comes while Tonali is serving a 10-month suspension imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in October for similar infractions, and with both suspensions overlapping that means Tonali won’t have to serve extra time off the field, meaning he will be able to return to play once his initial ban is over.

According to the FA, Tonali admitted to placing “40 to 50” bets on football matches, including “up to four” on games involving Newcastle United, with all bets backing his team to win.

In addition to the suspended ban, which will last throughout the 2024/25 season, the 23-year-old Italian has been fined £20,000 and issued a warning regarding his future behavior.

Tonali will be eligible to return to play at the end of his current FIGC suspension on August 27, provided he commits no further breaches, and has been permitted to train with Newcastle during his suspension period.

In October, Tonali’s agent, Beppe Riso, described his client’s situation as a struggle with a “gambling illness,” highlighting the personal challenges the player has faced alongside his professional repercussions.