Sandro Tonali has been charged with breaking gambling guidelines for a second time after he allegedly wager on Newcastle United video games following his transfer from AC Milan final summer time.
Telegraph Sport understands that the 23-year-old solely backed his workforce to win.
Tonali, who’s serving a 10-month ban for separate betting offences in Italy, has been accused by the Football Association of gambling 50 instances on matches since he arrived in England.
The Italy midfielder was suspended for 10 months on October 26 and ordered to endure an eight-month rehabilitation programme for contravening comparable rules in his homeland earlier than his £53 million transfer to St James’ Park.
That prompted the Football Association to launch an investigation into whether or not he had additionally wager on matches between becoming a member of Newcastle and his suspension being imposed, one thing it has now charged him with doing.
The FA mentioned: “Sandro Tonali has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of the FA’s betting rules. It’s alleged that the Newcastle United midfielder breached FA rule E8 50 times by placing bets on football matches between 12 August 2023 and 12 October 2023. Sandro Tonali has until April 5 to respond.”
‘Sandro retains club’s full assist’
Newcastle mentioned: “Newcastle United acknowledges a misconduct cost acquired by Sandro Tonali in respect of alleged breaches of FA betting guidelines.
“Sandro continues to totally adjust to related investigations and he retains the membership’s full assist. Due to this ongoing course of, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to supply additional remark right now.”
Telegraph Sport understands Tonali handed on to the membership all of the related particulars about his betting dependancy whereas he was being investigated by Italian authorities, which went on to ban him till August this yr, which was previous to the FA investigation.
The FA could effectively resolve that Tonali has been punished sufficient, with the participant’s agent revealing in October that his consumer had been struggling with gambling dependancy.
That was after Tonali admitted betting on video games involving each of his two former golf equipment, Brescia and AC Milan, earlier than putting a plea deal that prevented a three-year suspension.
Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina mentioned on the time: “An settlement has been reached between the federal prosecutor and Sandro Tonali.
“The plea settlement is for 18 months, of which eight months is for rehabilitation, which entails therapeutic exercise and making at the least 16 public appearances.
“The guidelines name for a sure variety of years of suspension, however the plea cut price and extenuating circumstances have been considered and the gamers’ collaboration went above and past, due to this fact we should proceed to respect the principles we now have established for ourselves.”
‘Newcastle are incredibly supportive and empathetic people’
After his preliminary ban, Tonali was allowed to proceed coaching with Newcastle, regardless of being unable to play in any video games.
Director of soccer Dan Ashworth mentioned in November: “We have totally cooperated with the entire associations and organisations involved and the FA are, in fact, totally conscious of what’s going on.
“They are those who needed to sanction the ban so we’re totally cooperating with all people. All I can cope with is the current and the details. I can’t look into the longer term and [if the ban will be extended].”
Asked what the board’s response to Tonali’s ban had been, Ashworth replied: “I can’t converse for the homeowners or the board. All I can say is that we’re all dissatisfied that we’ve misplaced a participant of Sandro’s calibre for 10 months.
“In my expertise with the board and the homeowners, they’re extremely supportive and empathetic individuals who wish to assist their household. I do know Sandro has had some messages of assist from board members.”
‘Addicts deserve support, not bans’
The FA’s newest enforcement of its betting ban comes with the sport nonetheless awash with gambling promoting, together with front-of-shirt sponsorships which golf equipment have agreed to part out earlier than 2026.
When Tonali was banned in October, The Big Step marketing campaign, a part of the Gambling With Lives charity, in contrast fielding a footballer with a betting dependancy in such an surroundings with “sending an alcoholic to work in a pub”.
“Footballers are human and if they are suffering from addiction they deserve empathy and support, not lengthy bans,” the Big Step mentioned in a press release.
“Every soccer recreation is wall-to-wall with gambling advertisements, not simply throughout shirts however round stadiums and associated media content material.
“Sending somebody hooked on gambling into this surroundings is like sending an alcoholic to work in a pub. If you drive younger footballers to endorse addictive merchandise then don’t be stunned in the event that they use them.
“Ending all gambling promoting and sponsorship in soccer, together with all components of the shirt and in each stadium, will assist to forestall hurt to these on and off the pitch.”
