Aoba Tanaka 
Newcastle United’s midfielder Sandro Tonali finds himself embroiled in controversy once again as the Football Association (FA) charges him with misconduct for alleged breaches of betting rules. The 23-year-old, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan in a £55m deal last July, is currently serving a 10-month ban imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for similar offenses.
Tonali’s troubles with the FA stem from allegations of placing 50 bets on matches between 12 August and 12 October 2023, during his time as a Newcastle player. This adds another layer to his existing ban issued by the FIGC, which extends worldwide due to FIFA’s endorsement.
Acknowledging the charge, Newcastle United stated on Thursday, “Sandro continues to fully comply with relevant investigations and he retains the club’s full support.” Despite his ban, Tonali is permitted to train alongside his teammates but remains ineligible to participate in any matches until August, ruling him out of contention for Euro 2024.
The Italy international’s ban comes with a therapeutic plan aimed at aiding his recovery from gambling addiction, which includes public appearances to educate young players about the dangers of gambling. However, former England and Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson criticized the severity of Tonali’s ban, labeling it a “disgrace” and advocating for more supportive measures rather than punitive ones.
Tonali now faces the FA’s charges, with a deadline until 5 April to respond. The outcome of this investigation will further shape the midfielder’s future in football and highlight the ongoing battle against gambling addiction within the sport.
