Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has been handed a suspended two-month ban from competitive football after breaching the FA’s betting rules. The Italian has also been fined £20,000 but will be able to play for Eddie Howe’s outfit next season, starting in August.
A statement from the club confirmed: “#NUFC 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.
“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.
The statement concluded: “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.”