Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali given suspended FA ban for betting breaches - Football News

Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali, who is currently serving a 10-month ban, has been given an additional suspended two-month ban by the English Football Association (FA) after he admitted to breaches of the betting rules.

The two-month ban is suspended, until the end of the 2024-25 season, meaning he can play but will be banned immediately from all football-related activity for that period of time if he makes another breach. However, he has been fined $25,000 and warned by the FA regarding his future conduct.

Newcastle released a statement following the announcement by the FA, reiterating that the player was available to them after the current ban expires.

«The banning period is fully suspended for the duration of the 2024/25 season, meaning he will be available to return to competitive football upon the conclusion of an existing 10-month sanction imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on 27 October 2023.

»Provided that he does not commit any further breach of the FA Betting Rules during the suspension period, Sandro will not serve any part of the two-month sanction."

Also read | Official: Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali handed 10-month ban for gambling-related offences

Geordies stunned

Tonali joined the Geordies in a $70 million move from AC Milan last summer but has been banned from playing competitive football until August 2024 for betting on matches in Italy.

In October, FIGC imposed a 10-month ban on him. According to Italian betting rules, he would have faced a suspension of three years had he not cooperated with the investigation.

As part of the deal, eight months of his overall 18-month ban will be commuted if he participates in a «therapeutic plan and educational programme in Italy