ROME, Oct 26: Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was banned for 10 months by the Italian football federation on Thursday for betting on teams he played for ruling him out of the rest of the Premier League season as well as competing for Italy at next year’s European Championship.
The 23-year-old Tonali, who became the second player suspended in the widening case, agreed to a plea bargain with the federation that included therapy for a gambling addiction.
Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, recently acknowledged that his client has a gambling problem and that Tonali told prosecutors he bet on AC Milan and Brescia when he played for those clubs.
The federation acted following an investigation by Turin prosecutors into football players using illegal websites to bet on games. Tonali’s ban means he will not be able to return in time for Euro 2024, which runs June 14-July 14. Defending champion Italy has not qualified yet.
Tonali’s cooperation with authorities allowed the minimum ban of three years for players betting on football matches to be greatly reduced.
Last week, Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli was banned for seven months after agreeing to a plea bargain with the federation that also stipulates he undergoes therapy for a gambling addiction.
Unlike Fagioli, Tonali admitted he bet on Milan games when he played for the Rossoneri, but always for them to win so there was no suggestion of match-fixing. Tonali joined Newcastle from Milan in an expensive transfer in the offseason and the Italy international signed a five-year contract with the English club.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said of Tonali last week that the club is “committed to him long-term” despite the gambling case. (AP)
