Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali to be banned from football for 10 months for betting offences – FIGC president

Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali will be banned from football for 10 months after he was found guilty of committing betting offences, the president of Italian Football Federation Gabriele Gravina has said.

The club confirmed earlier this month that the midfielder was being investigated by the Turin Prosecutor's Office and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for suspected illegal betting activity.

And Gravina has now told reporters that Tonali would be banned for 10 months, with a further eight months of “recovery activities and therapy”.

Gravina said: “An agreement has been reached between the Federal Prosecutor and Sandro Tonali, which I have already approved.

“A plea bargain is expected for 18 months [of suspension], eight of which will be made up of recovery activities and therapy, and at least 16 face-to-face meetings.”

Gravina added that Tonali "collaborated unbelievably” with the investigation.

The length of ban means Tonali will miss Euro 2024 next summer, where Italy will look to defend their title, should they qualify.

Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was previously banned for seven months as part of the investigation into illegal betting.

Fagioli was also ordered to go through six months of therapy and speak in at least 10 public meetings over the next five months as part of an agreement to reduce his on-pitch ban from 12 months, while he was fined €12,500.

The 23-year-old Tonali joined the Tyneside club from AC Milan in the summer in a deal worth £55 million.

Tonali, alongside Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo, left the Italian national team’s camp earlier this month ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and England after being told he was involved in a police investigation.

He has played for Newcastle 12 times in all competitions since joining the Premier League outfit and played the Champions League games against his former club Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.

Tonali made a stunning start to life at St James’ Park, opening Newcastle’s account on the first day of the season with a goal on his debut in a 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa.

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