Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali finds himself embroiled in controversy once again as he faces misconduct charges from the Football Association (FA) for alleged breaches of betting rules. The 23-year-old Italian is alleged to have bet on matches between August 12, 2023, and October 12, 2023, marking a concerning development in his career.
Tonali, who made a high-profile move from AC Milan to Newcastle United for £55 million last summer, has until April 5 to respond to the charges. This latest accusation follows a previous incident in which Tonali was handed a 10-month suspension by Italian authorities in October of the previous year for similar infractions during his time with AC Milan.
The midfielder’s suspension in Italy, accompanied by a fine and mandatory therapy, was reduced through a plea bargain with the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). However, this recent charge from the FA adds another layer of complexity to Tonali’s already troubled situation.
Under the terms of his Italian suspension, Tonali is barred from participating in competitive football until August 2024, rendering him ineligible for Italy’s Euro campaign. Despite this, he remains able to train with Newcastle United and participate in friendly matches.
Tonali’s acknowledgment of placing bets on AC Milan matches during a hearing at the Italian Federation in Turin shed light on his struggles with gambling addiction. His agent, Giuseppe Riso, confirmed Tonali’s addiction last year, emphasizing the need for treatment and support for the player.
Newcastle United has issued a statement acknowledging the misconduct charge against Tonali, expressing their full support for the player as he navigates through the ongoing investigation. However, both Tonali and the club are unable to provide further comments at this stage due to the ongoing legal process.
Moving forward, Tonali faces the prospect of sanctions from the FA, with an independent commission tasked with evaluating the alleged offences. The commission will consider mitigating factors while assessing Tonali’s response to the charges, which he can accept or deny individually.
