Newcastle and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 months by the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) for breaching betting guidelines.
The 23-year-old won’t be eligible to play once more till August and will likely be unavailable to function at Euro 2024 subsequent summer season ought to Italy qualify.
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July for £55m.
Earlier this month, Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli received a seven-month ban from the FIGC for betting breaches.
Italian Soccer Federation president Gabriele Gravina advised Sky Sports activities Italia: “An settlement has been reached between the federal prosecutor and Sandro Tonali. The plea settlement is for 18 months, of which eight months is for rehabilitation, which entails therapeutic exercise and making a minimum of 16 public appearances.
“The principles name for a sure variety of years of suspension, however the plea discount and extenuating circumstances have been considered and the gamers’ collaboration went above and past, subsequently we should proceed to respect the principles we’ve got established for ourselves.”
Juventus’ Fagioli had 5 months of a one-year ban suspended and was fined 12,500 euros (£10,850). Fagioli additionally agreed to a remedy plan of a minimum of six months to sort out his playing downside.
Tonali and fellow midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, who’s on mortgage at Aston Villa from Galatasaray, left Italy’s training camp on 12 October after being advised they had been concerned in an investigation by Italian prosecutors.
Throughout a three-year spell at San Siro, Tonali helped Milan win their first Serie A title for 11 years in 2021-22 and attain final season’s Champions League semi-finals.
He got here off the bench throughout Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund within the Champions League on Wednesday.
Tonali has made 12 appearances for Eddie Howe’s facet since changing into the Magpies’ second costliest signing.
Talking earlier than Newcastle’s final Premier League fixture, a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, Howe mentioned Tonali had endured a “troublesome couple of weeks”.
“He is been coping with quite a bit and, from what I can see, from just a few hours a day, he is dealing with himself rather well and is coping with feelings extremely strongly,” Howe added.
Newcastle, who’re sixth within the Premier League, journey to Wolves on Saturday earlier than going through Manchester United within the fourth spherical of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
‘Newcastle have proven Tonali nice help’
Talking earlier than Tonali’s ban was introduced, former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer advised BBC Radio 5 Reside it will likely be “actually troublesome” for Tonali to stay residing in England whereas he’s banned from enjoying.
Nonetheless, Shearer added that the “Newcastle public have proven nice help” to the Italian.
“He [Howe] got here out and caught up for him as you’d count on and he mentioned he wished everybody to place their arms round him,” Shearer mentioned.
“Definitely the gang did that on the weekend [against Crystal Palace] and after they had been going around the pitch on the finish he received an important reception. There is a advantageous steadiness between a punishment and defending folks.”
Brentford and England ahead Ivan Toney is serving an eight-month ban for breaking Soccer Affiliation betting guidelines – together with betting towards his personal crew in seven video games the place he didn’t play.
Premier League golf equipment have collectively agreed to withdraw playing sponsorship from the entrance of their matchday shirts by the top of the 2025-26 season.
Nonetheless, after the deadline, golf equipment will nonetheless have the ability to proceed that includes playing manufacturers in areas comparable to shirt sleeves and LED promoting.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil mentioned there must be “good training” for gamers round playing.
“If I’m going again to after I was enjoying, it was in all places. It was a part of the tradition, it was on the crew bus, folks checking scores at half-time,” O’Neil mentioned on Thursday, earlier than Tonali’s ban was introduced.
“It could possibly appear enjoyable and nothing, however unexpectedly you are lacking soccer for eight months and lacking a great deal of cash.”
Crystal Palace supervisor Roy Hodgson added: “What occurred to Ivan and Sandro, that sadly is their duty and perhaps not the truth that they play for a soccer crew with a betting identify on their shirt.
“I would not agree that the sponsors’ golf equipment have made gamers gamble. The choice to gamble is a person determination. Possibly extra training is required, I could not disagree with that.”
