Newcastle footballer Tonali banned over betting breaches

Newcastle United footballer Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 months after being found to have breached betting rules.

Italy’s football federation, the FIGC, said the Italian must also complete an eight-month personal recovery programme including at least 16 public meetings.

The 23-year-old, who has been fined €20,000, will speak at amateur sports associations, territorial federal centres and gambling addiction recovery centres about his experiences.

Newcastle had confirmed that Tonali was under investigation after Juventus midfielder Nicoló Fagioli received a seven-month ban for betting breaches.

The FIGC said Tonali, who will miss the rest of Newcastle’s Premier League season and next year’s European Championships if Italy qualify, placed bets on matches organised the FIGC, UEFA and FIFA.

Tonali is the second Premier League player this year to be  found to have breached betting rules and face a ban. Brentford’s Ivan Toney was suspended for eight months in May.