Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has been handed a suspended two-month ban from football by an independent commission for violating the Football Association’s (FA) betting rules. The FA charged Tonali with 50 breaches of FA Rule E8 for placing bets on football matches between August 12, 2023, and October 12, 2023. Tonali admitted to placing the bets on the matches in question.
In addition to the suspended ban, Tonali was fined £20,000 ($24,968) and received a warning. The ban will be suspended for the duration of the 2024-25 season, allowing Tonali to return to action for Newcastle after serving a 10-month suspension imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in October 2023 for similar gambling rule violations. Tonali’s cooperation with authorities from the FIGC and the Italian prosecutor’s office during the investigation led to a reduction in the length of his ban. FIFA and FIGC regulations could have resulted in a three-year suspension for Tonali.
Newcastle issued a statement acknowledging Tonali’s cooperation and assistance in the investigation. The club praised Tonali’s full admissions regarding his betting activity, noting that there was no evidence supporting misconduct proceedings against him. As long as Tonali does not violate the FA Betting Rules during the suspension period, he will not serve any part of the two-month ban. The level of cooperation and self-referral demonstrated by Tonali was deemed extraordinary and unprecedented by the FA.
Overall, Sandro Tonali’s punishment serves as a reminder to all footballers about the strict rules and regulations surrounding betting in professional sports. The cooperation of authorities and full admissions made by Tonali helped mitigate his punishment, but the incident still carries consequences for the midfielder. It is crucial for players to adhere to the guidelines set forth by football associations to maintain the integrity and fairness of the sport.
Leave a Reply