Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali Faces Betting Scandal: Accused of Violating FA Rules on Betting

Sandro Tonali with Callum Wilson in a Newcastle match. Photo: Reuters/Lee Smith

European football was once again scandalized by the warning that Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali received, after he was accused of having violated the rules of the English Federation (FA) on betting on official matches of the British competition on 50 occasions.

The entity issued an official statement in which it explained that the 23-year-old footballer has until April 5 to respond to the accusation of having violated Rule E8 on betting on at least 50 occasions, between August 12, 2023 and October 12 of the same year.

Currently, the player is suspended due to a ten-month sanction without being able to play imposed by the Italian Federation for having violated the rules on betting in Serie A. Considered one of the great promises of the Azzurra, the defensive midfielder had arrived to Newcastle from Milan, in an operation that was carried out in the last transfer market for 55 million pounds (64 million euros).

In its first reaction to the new accusation made by the FA, the club assured that it “admits” this new accusation. “Official: Sandro Tonali has been charged by the FA with 50 offenses for placing bets earlier this season. It occurred between August 12, 2023 and October 12. Tonali was already sanctioned for 10 months for gambling crimes while in Italy,” journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on his official Twitter account.

Meanwhile, the footballer who participated in two editions of the Under 21 Euro Cup (in 2019 and 2021) “continues to fully comply with the relevant investigations and retains the support of the institution,” the northern English entity said in a brief statement. in which he announces that he will not make any further comments on the matter for the moment.

The sanction imposed by the Italian federation, which FIFA made applicable to everyone, means that Tonali will not be able to play again until at least next August and will therefore miss this year’s European Championship in Germany.

In addition, the driver was fined 20,000 euros and ordered to participate in an eight-month “therapeutic plan” to recover from his gambling addiction.

Regarding the FIFA regulations, within the Code of Ethics, the regulatory body prohibits the direct or indirect relationship of any footballer with this type of activities since it calls into question the possibility of a risk of match or competition fixing. , with the aim of earning extra money.

For this reason and “in order to protect the integrity of football around the world,” FIFA established a series of “concrete rules on betting, games of chance and other similar activities.” Articles 126 and 127 of section 3 describe in their paragraph: “disqualification of no less than three years.” Article 24 of the Code of Sports Justice is clear: betting on sports is not prohibited, but doing so in FIGC, FIFA and UEFA competitions is an infraction that is heavily punished.

THE NEWCASTLE STATEMENT

Newcastle United acknowledge a misconduct charge received by Sandro Tonali regarding alleged breaches of FA Betting Rules. Sandro continues to fully comply with the relevant investigations and has the full support of the club. Due to this ongoing process, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to offer any further comment at this time.

2024-03-29 01:21:00
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