Newcastle’s Tonali charged with misconduct over betting allegations

Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali has been charged with misconduct by the English Football Association (FA) over alleged betting rule violations. The 23-year-old Italian midfielder faces allegations of breaching FA rule E8 related to betting on matches on 50 occasions between August 12, 2023, and October 12, 2023.

Tonali, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July 2023 for around £55 million, has until April 5 to respond to the charge. This development follows the Italian’s 10-month ban by FIFA, ratified in October 2023, for breaching betting rules in Italy. Consequently, Tonali will miss the remainder of the 2023/2024 season and Italy’s defence of their European Championship title in Germany this summer.

The former AC Milan player’s agent has previously acknowledged Tonali’s gambling addiction. Italian authorities imposed a €20,000 fine and an eight-month therapy course on the midfielder after he reached a plea bargain following an investigation into illegal betting.

Newcastle released a statement acknowledging the misconduct charge. The club expressed its support for the player, stating: “Sandro continues to fully comply with relevant investigations and he retains the club’s full support.