Sandro Tonali needs ’empathy and support’ after being banned for 10 months
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned from football for 10 months (Owen Humphreys/PA)
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali deserves “empathy and support” for his gambling issues rather than a 10-month ban, campaigners have said.
The 23-year-old has been suspended for 18 months – eight months of which has been commuted – fined 20,000 euros and been ordered to partake in an eight-month course of therapy after an investigation into illegal betting conducted by the Italian Prosecutor’s Officer and the Italian football federation (FIGC).
The player’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, has said his client is living with a gambling addiction while the PFA is understood to be working with and continuing to support Tonali.
Sandro Tonali, right, battles for possession with West Ham’s Edson Alvarez (Bradley Collyer/PA)
And the Big Step campaign, part of the Gambling With Lives charity, claims asking a footballer who is addicted to gambling to play in stadiums plastered in betting logos is akin to making an alcoholic work in a pub.
“Footballers are human and if they are suffering from addiction they deserve empathy and support, not lengthy bans,” the Big Step said in a statement issued to the PA news agency.
“Every football game is wall-to-wall with gambling ads, not just across shirts but around stadiums and related media content.
“Sending someone addicted to gambling into this environment is like sending an alcoholic to work in a pub. If you force young footballers to endorse addictive products then don’t be surprised if they use them.
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe will have to do without summer signing Sandro Tonali until next season (Owen Humphreys/PA)
“Ending all gambling advertising and sponsorship in football, including all
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