Newcastle Star Sandro Tonali Faces A 10-Month Ban
Newcastle’s Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali is set to receive a 10-month ban from the game of soccer due to gambling activities.
The 23-year-old, who moved to England from AC Milan this summer, is reportedly close to reaching an agreement with prosecutors in which he will plead guilty to betting on soccer matches during his time in Italy. These include matches involving AC Milan and Brescia, both teams that he played for. The ban could have been up to three years in length, but looks like it will only be 10 months in Tonali’s case.
Tonali, who has a “gambling addiction,” according to his agent, will miss the rest of the Premier League season and the 2024 European Championship if Italy qualifies. He will, however, be available for Newcastle’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday before the ban kicks in.
This is a huge loss for Newcastle. Tonali has been a revelation since moving to the Magpies from Italy, becoming a key part of the club’s midfield. Newcastle is currently in sixth place in the Premier League and is on top of its Champions League group, and Tonali has been a key part of the club’s recent success.
Similar to how Manchester City struggled when defensive midfielder Rodri was banned due to suspension a few weeks ago, you have to wonder if Newcastle will suffer a similar fate with the loss of Tonali in the center of the park.
Tonali will be the second Italian player to face a ban for illegal gambling activity. Juventus’s Nicolo Fagioli was also caught up in the probe that caught Sandro Tonali. Fagioli will serve a seven-month ban. Both Tonali and Fagioli will take part in gambling addiction rehab.
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