Sandro Tonali To be banned from football for 10 months over breaches of rules Full Details

The 23-year-old, who cost £55 million to acquire from AC Milan in the summer, will miss the rest of Newcastle’s season as well as, should Italy advance, their Euro 2024 playoff run.

Tonali is free to practice with Newcastle and participate in exhibition games even though he won’t be permitted to play competitive football until August 2024.

As part of his agreement with Italian authorities, he must also attend problem gambler treatment sessions and give a series of speeches about his experience over an additional eight months.

The federation acted following an investigation by Turin prosecutors into soccer players using illegal websites to bet on games.

Tonali had been assisting the investigation and his legal team have been working on a plea bargain after he admitted to making bets on AC Milan to win games in a hearing at the Italian Federation in Turin.

Without his cooperation, Tonali could have faced up to a three-year suspension under FIFA rules.

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina said Tonali was suspended for 18 months but that eight of those months were commutable by attending treatment for gambling addiction and making at least 16 public appearances at centres for young soccer players and associations for recovering addicts.

“We can’t just think about punishing the boys and not helping them recover,” Gravina added. “I think it’s worth a lot more, rather than a month ban, eight months of giving talks about what they went through, in an honest way and with the right behaviour.”

Tonali came off the bench during Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat to Dortmund on Wednesday evening and manager Eddie Howe said the club is “committed to him long-term”.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson believes it’s a “tragedy” for Sandro Tonali to receive a 10 month ban for breaching betting rules. Hodgson describes the length of the suspension as “incredible”.

How will Newcastle cover Tonali absence?

Tonali and the Italian prosecutors have reached a deal that essentially amounts to a plea bargain. He will now also miss Italy’s Euros in Germany next summer, which is a severe punishment.

Although it was kept a secret, he did place bets on AC Milan games that he thought would result in their victory, according to evidence provided to us by our friends at netsport italy

“A 10-month ban has been agreed upon, and UEFA will confirm this shortly. Newcastle is still in possession of talent. Against Borussia Dortmund, we watched him come off the bench, and I felt he performed admirably in the second half.

“He scored within the opening five minutes of his debut against Aston Villa, and he was excellent, but Newcastle will have to do without him until the end of the season.

“It does create a significant gap in their roster, which is already beset by injury issues. It will provide Tonali with the opportunity to refocus his life and career.

“Howe has stated that now is the moment for all club members to embrace and stand by Sandro. His teammates, management, and supporters have all had enough of him.”