Sandro Tonali, a player transferred from Newcastle United this summer, has been officially banned for illegal betting. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) imposed sanctions on him for ten months.

Sandro Tonali, banned for ten months plus a further eight months suspended

Tonali, who became the most expensive Italian player in history last summer when he moved to Newcastle for €64 million, is the second player to be sanctioned in connection with the sports betting scandal, after Juventus midfielder Niccolo Fagioli, who disqualified for seven months

“The sanction imposed on Tonali is 18 months: ten months of suspension and eight months of probation,” the FIGC told AFP.

Tonali, capped 15 times by the Italian national team, will not play again until the 2024-25 season and will miss Euro 2024 if Italy qualify.

The sanction includes an obligation to undergo treatment to end his gambling addiction and to attend “at least 16 meetings” where he will have to warn young players about the dangers of sports betting, the FIGC told AFP.

Tonali risked a three-year suspension for violating Article 24 of the FIGC’s Code of Sports Justice, which prohibits professional players from betting on soccer, News.ro writes.