Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali banned for 10 months over breaching betting rules

Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali has been banned from football for 10 months, the president of the Italian football federation (FIGC) has confirmed.

Gabriele Gravina insists the Newcastle midfielder will be suspended for 10 months and follow a rehabilitation programme following an investigation over betting on matches during his time at AC Milan.

It means Tonali will miss the remainder of the season for Eddie Howe’s side and be unavailable for Euro 2024, should Italy qualify.

“The FIGC prosecutor and Tonali have reached an agreement which I have already approved,” said the FIGC President.

“The agreement consists of a 10-month ban plus eight months of rehab activities and at least 16 public appearances.”

The 23-year-old was under investigation by the Italian prosecutor’s office and the Italian football federation, who found the Italy international had broken gambling rules.

Tonali, who was signed by Newcastle from Milan for £55m this summer, fully cooperated with the investigation and was handed a reduced sentence.

“Rules provide a ban for a few years, but there can be a plea agreement and extenuating circumstances,” Gravina added.

“The guys collaborated above and beyond expectations, so we will continue to follow the rules we had adopted.”

The midfielder’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, said Tonali suffers from a gambling addiction and the player has agreed to a treatment programme for gambling problems.

Tonali’s punishment comes after the Juventus player Nicolo Fagioli was banned for 12 months, with five suspended, amid the biggest betting scandal to hit Italian football in almost 20 years.

Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo has also been investigated by authorities.