Newcastle United has officially announced that midfielder Sandro Tonali is eligible to return to competitive football for his team’s upcoming game against Tottenham on September 1st. This comes after the completion of a lengthy 10-month ban that was imposed on Tonali for breaching gambling rules in Italy. The ban, which was handed down by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in October 2023, has now been lifted, allowing the 24-year-old player to rejoin his team.
In order to receive a less severe punishment from the FIGC, Tonali entered into a plea-bargain deal which required him to attend treatment sessions for problem gamblers and give talks about his experience over an additional eight-month period. This cooperation, along with his willingness to assist the authorities in their investigation, ultimately led to a reduction in the length of his ban. While there were regulations in place that could have resulted in a three-year suspension for the Italy international, his cooperation and self-referral played a significant role in mitigating the consequences of his actions.
Despite being handed a two-month suspended ban by the English Football Association (FA) for contravening betting rules following his move to the Premier League, Tonali’s ban in England has also been lifted. The findings of an independent regulatory commission appointed by the FA found that his cooperation and self-referral were grounds for suspending the ban, allowing him to return to playing for Newcastle United.
Newcastle United acquired Tonali from AC Milan in July 2023 in a high-profile deal reportedly worth €70 million ($74.7m) with add-ons. However, Tonali has not had the opportunity to showcase his skills for his new team since shortly before the ban came into effect. Prior to his suspension, he had played 11 games for Newcastle, scoring one goal in the process.
Sandro Tonali’s return to competitive football after a 10-month ban is a significant development for both the player and Newcastle United. His cooperation with the authorities and commitment to addressing his gambling issues have paved the way for his reinstatement, allowing him to resume his career and contribute to his team once again.
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