Italian international midfielder Sandro Tonali, now playing for Newcastle United, has been handed a 10-month suspension by the Italian football federation (FIGC) for betting-related offenses, as announced on Thursday.
The 23-year-old was discovered to have placed bets on matches involving his previous club AC Milan, prior to his transfer to Newcastle in July. The transfer, amounting to 56 million pounds (64 million euros), marked Tonali as the most expensive Italian player in history.
Tonali's ban entails that he will be sidelined for the remainder of the Premier League season and, provided Italy secures qualification, he will also miss next summer's European Championship.
This marks the second instance of an Italian player facing a football ban due to a betting scandal, with the revelation occurring during the recent international break. Juventus' Nicolo Fagioli faced a seven-month suspension from the FIGC's disciplinary tribunal earlier this month.
Tonali’s agent claimed his client has a gambling addiction.
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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has said the club will fully support him.
“We will throw our arms around Sandro and protect him and try to give him the love and support he needs to find solutions to the problems he’s had,” Howe said last Friday.
“We see him being part of our team for many years. We are committed to him long term.”
