Another European soccer player has been punished due to illicit legal sports betting.
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has received a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules of the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio — Italy’s soccer federation. The FIGC’s decision — made in agreement with Italy’s federal prosecutor’s office — has Tonali serving an 18-month ban, which can have eight months suspended if he completes a gambling treatment plan.
Tonali violated rules that prohibit wagering on events organized by the FIGC, UEFA, and FIFA.
“Tonali will have to participate in a therapeutic plan lasting a minimum of 8 months and a cycle of at least 16 public meetings, to be held in Italy, over a period of 8 months, at amateur sports associations and federal territorial centers for gambling addiction recovery,” said the FGIC.
The 23-year-old, who has also played for AC Milan, has also been handed a $21,000 fine. There has been no comment from Newcastle United or the Premier League on the matter.
Part of a bigger problem
Tonali joins several other European soccer players embroiled in gambling controversies.
Earlier this month, Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was banned from play for at least seven months for also breaching the FIGC’s betting rules through the use of online betting sites.
Fagioli and Tonali are part of a group of Italian soccer players included in an investigation related to illicit sports wagering. The probe includes more than a dozen other players in Serie A — Italy’s top soccer league. Nicolò Zaniolo, who plays in the Premier League with Tonali, is also included in the investigation and has returned to Aston Villa after speaking to Italian authorities.
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