Newcastle United midfielder Sando Tonali has been slapped with a 10-month ban from playing football due to his involvement in illegal betting activities. This decision comes after Tonali and his legal team reached a plea bargain with prosecutors and the Italian Football Association.
Tonali admitted to placing bets on AC Milan while still being a part of the club. His admission and cooperation with the authorities were praised by the Italian FA president, Gabriele Gravina. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) initially banned Tonali for seven months after finding him guilty of breaching the body's regulations.
The maximum penalty for Tonali's offence could have been a four-year ban. However, his lawyers successfully negotiated a reduced sentence of 10 months, eight of which are to be spent in therapy, due to his cooperation with the authorities.
Impact on Tonali's career and Newcastle
Despite the ban, Tonali will still be permitted to train with Newcastle. However, he will miss the start of the 2024-25 Premier League season, as well as Euro 2024. Tonali was able to participate in Newcastle's Champions League showdown with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday as UEFA was still awaiting confirmation on the ban from Italy.
Newcastle, on the other hand, are reportedly exploring all legal options, including a compensation case. The club is considering this action due to being sold a player from AC Milan who had already breached betting rules.
Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Association, said:
"An agreement has already been reached between the Federal Prosecutor’s Office and Sandro Tonali, which occurred before the referral, therefore it must be endorsed by the undersigned, which I have already done.
"A plea bargain is envisaged for 18 months of which 8 months is activity recovery, some concerns therapeutic activity and at least 16 face-to-face meetings as testimony."
The bigger picture: Illegal betting in football
Tonali's case is believed to be part of a larger illegal betting scheme. The player is thought to have been questioned by Italian criminal prosecutor Manuela Pedrotta, who is currently investigating an underground betting ring.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the strict regulations and penalties in place to deter professional athletes from engaging in illegal betting activities. It also underscores the importance of due diligence when clubs are signing new players, to avoid potential legal complications down the line.
While Tonali's ban is a significant blow to both the player and Newcastle United, it is a necessary measure to uphold the integrity of the sport. It remains to be seen how this incident will impact the wider investigation into the alleged illegal betting ring.
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