Sandro Tonali to miss Euro 2024 due to betting charges

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has found himself embroiled in controversy as he faces misconduct charges from the Football Association (FA) for alleged breaches of betting rules.

The 23-year-old, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July for a hefty £55 million fee, is currently serving a 10-month ban issued by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for similar infractions.

Tonali’s alleged transgressions include placing 50 bets on matches between August 12 and October 12, 2023, while he was a player for Newcastle United. These charges are separate from the ones that led to his initial ban by the FIGC, which involved betting on matches involving his former teams Brescia and Milan.

Consequently, Tonali’s current ban will prevent him from participating in any football activities until August, effectively ruling him out of contention for Euro 2024.

Despite the mounting accusations, Newcastle United has expressed its continued support for Tonali as he navigates the investigations. The club released a statement affirming their awareness of the misconduct charges and reiterated their backing for the player.

Tonali’s ban entails a therapeutic plan aimed at aiding his recovery from gambling addiction. This plan includes mandatory public appearances in Italy, where he will share his experiences and caution young players about the dangers of gambling. While he is barred from playing, Tonali is permitted to train alongside his Newcastle teammates during his suspension.

The FA has given Tonali until April 5 to respond to the charges. However, his prospects for a swift return to action remain uncertain, given the severity of the allegations.

Tonali’s case adds to the growing concerns surrounding gambling in football, with former players like Paul Merson, who struggled with gambling addiction during his career, condemning the harshness of the bans imposed on Tonali and other players.