Newcastle Midfielder Sandro Tonali Charged with Misconduct
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules, the FA has announced. Tonali is alleged to have breached FA rule E8 50 times by betting on matches between August 12, 2023 and October 12, 2023.
FA Investigation and Response
The 23-year-old, who is currently serving a 10-month ban for betting offences while playing in Italy, has until April 5 to respond. Newcastle United released a statement acknowledging the misconduct charge and expressing full support for Tonali during the ongoing investigations.
Past Incidents and Consequences
In October last year, Tonali was suspended for 10 months and fined after an investigation into illegal betting. His agent revealed that Tonali was struggling with a gambling addiction and was undergoing therapy to address the issue. Tonali joined Newcastle for a reported fee of around £55 million in early July.
Current Status and Support
Tonali scored on his debut for Newcastle but had his season cut short due to the ban. He is not eligible to return to competitive action until August 27. The club is working on a program to support Tonali and help him return to form when he is eligible to play again.
Reactions and Support
Following the news of Tonali’s ban, there were comparisons made to supporting a footballer with a gambling addiction to making an alcoholic work in a pub. Newcastle’s sporting director expressed shock at the investigation and emphasized the importance of supporting Tonali through this challenging time.
