Find the biggest stories from across the soccer world by visiting our Top Soccer News section and subscribing to push notifications.
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, who’s currently serving a 10-month ban for betting on former clubs AC Milan and Brescia, was charged by the FA on Thursday for placing bets in the months after joining the Premier League side in a reported £55-million transfer.
“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,” the FA said in a statement.
The 23-year-old, who’s admitted to having a gambling addiction, has until April 5 to respond to the charges.
Newcastle said Tonali “continues to fully comply with relevant investigations” and “retains the club’s full support.”
The Magpies don’t expect the player to face another lengthy suspension given he admitted to these charges in the autumn, according to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards.
Tonali was initially banned by the Italian football association on Oct. 26. FIFA later approved its request to apply the suspension worldwide. That forced him to withdraw from all competitive football matches, including those with Newcastle and the Italian national team, ruling him out of Euro 2024.
He’s allowed to train with the first team until the ban expires.
“We will throw our arms around Sandro and protect him and try to give him the love and support he needs to find solutions to the problems he’s had,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said in October. “We see him being part of our team for many years. We are committed to him long term.”
Reports emerged in November that the FA had opened an investigation into allegations Tonali had bet on matches after joining Newcastle. It’s currently unclear if those games involved his team.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney recently returned to action after serving an eight-month ban for 232 violations of the FA’s betting rules. He was also diagnosed with a gambling addiction.
Tonali, who has a contract until June 2028, has played just 12 times for Newcastle.
