Premier League side Newcastle United have confirmed midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned from all football-related activities for 10 months after he was found guilty of illegal betting charges.
“Sandro Tonali has been banned from competitive football for ten months, as effective from Friday, 27th October 2023, following illegal betting charges by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC),” the club said in a statement on Saturday.
Tonali, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan during the last summer transfer window, had earlier this week finished with an 18 months suspension for betting on football matches during his time in Italy before the player admitted to gambling addiction.
Eight months was commuted for Tonali after he agreed to participate in a therapeutic plan and educational programme in Italy consisting of 16 commitments. On Friday, the ban was ratified by FIFA and subsequently made the punishment worldwide.
Alongside Tonali, Juventus’ Nicolo Fagioli was also banned for seven months and Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo is under investigation for the same offences.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old will not be able to return to competitive football with club and country until Tuesday, August 27, 2024.