Tonali’s ban not prolonged regardless of new punishment over breaching FA betting guidelines

On May 2, 2024

Sandro Tonali will not receive an additional ban for breaching the FA’s betting rules.

The Newcastle United midfielder was hit with a 10-month ban from football in late October 2023, having admitted to illegal gambling activity during his time with AC Milan.

The Italian Football Federation found him guilty of breaching their rules as FIFA extended the ban worldwide, which meant he would miss the remainder of the 2023/24 Premier League season and Euro 2024.

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He then faced a fresh charge in March for 50 breaches of the FA’s betting rules. An FA statement claimed he had placed bets on football even after his £55million transfer from the Serie A side to Newcastle on July 3, 2023.

The 23-year-old has now received a £20,000 fine and a two-month ban from the FA, which is suspended until the end of the 2024/25 season. That means he will be banned from all football-related activity for that period if he makes another breach. As such, Tonali will be able to return from August 27 if he avoids further sanctions.

Sandro Tonali scoring on his Newcastle debut in August — Tonali has avoided another extension to his already-existing ban
(Image: Getty Images)

Newcastle released a statement on Thursday in light of the verdict, saying: “Midfielder Sandro Tonali has been given a suspended two-month ban from competitive football by an independent Regulatory Commission after self- declaring breaches of FA Betting Rules. He has also been fined £20,000 and warned by the FA as to his future conduct.

“The banning period is fully suspended for the duration of the 2024/25 season, meaning he will be available to return to competitive football upon the conclusion of an existing ten-month sanction imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on 27 October 2023.

Sandro Tonali playing for AC Milan — The Italian was initially banned for 10 months for illegal gambling activity during his time at AC Milan
(Image: Getty Images)

“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. 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.”