Tonali banned for 10 months for betting rule breaches

Oct 26: Newcastle and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 months by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for breaching betting rules.

The 23-year-old will not be eligible to play again until August and will be unavailable to feature at Euro 2024 next summer should Italy qualify.

Earlier this month, Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli received a seven-month ban from the FIGC for betting breaches.

Fagioli had five months of a one-year ban suspended and was fined 12,500 euros (£10,850).

He also agreed to a therapy plan of at least six months to tackle his gambling problem.

Tonali and fellow midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, who is on loan at Aston Villa from Galatasaray, were forced to leave Italy's training camp on 12 October after being told they were involved in an investigation by Italian prosecutors.

During a three-year spell at San Siro, Tonali helped Milan win their first Serie A title for 11 years in 2021-22 and reach last season's Champions League semi-finals.

He came off the bench during Newcastle's 1-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Tonali has made 12 appearances for Eddie Howe's side since becoming the Magpies' second-most-expensive signing.

Newcastle, who are sixth in the Premier League, travel to Wolves on Saturday before facing Manchester United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

(BBC)