Official: Sandro Tonali handed suspended ban and fine by FA for betting charges

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been handed a suspended two-month ban by the FA after he admitted a breach of betting rules.

The young Italian also received a £20,000 fine and has been warned by the FA about his future conduct.

The suspended sentence means that there is no extension to the time he will be out for unless he reoffends.

This seems like the most sensible decision from the FA. Tonali has already missed a chunk of his career due to his mistakes.

Image: SkySports

Tonali placed 50 bets on football

Four of those bets were on Newcastle to win matches. One can't help but think the punishment could have been much worse if he had bet on anything else during his games at the club.

In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter) Newcastle United said: "The banning period is fully suspended for the duration of the 2024/25 season, meaning he will be available to return to competitive football upon the conclusion of an existing ten-month sanction imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on 27 October 2023.

"Provided that he does not commit any further breach of the FA Betting Rules during the suspension period, Sandro will not serve any part of the two-month sanction.

"As acknowledged by the FA in the independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons, the level of assistance Sandro has provided by self-referring and fully cooperating with a subsequent investigation is extraordinary and unprecedented.

"Sandro made full admissions as to his betting activity, and did so in circumstances where there was no other evidence to support misconduct proceedings.

"Sandro is continuing to follow a therapeutic plan and educational programme with the club's full support and will continue to train with his teammates."

Tonali can come back on August 27, 2024.

The Italian will be back just after the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

It was revealed that Tonali's bets were:

• Newcastle to beat Brighton or Burnley (lost 3-1/won 2-0)
• Newcastle to beat Brentford (won 1-0)
• Newcastle to beat Man City (won 1-0)
• Newcastle to beat West Ham (drew 2-2)

In the written reasons for the decision, it was also revealed that Tonali has voluntarily taken a reduced weekly income from Newcastle during the period of the Italian FA sporting sanction.