Banned Tonali could face fresh suspension after new FA charge

Sandro Tonali could face a fresh ban after being charged by the Football Association with placing 50 bets on football matches since joining Newcastle United last summer.

Tonali (below) is currently serving a 10-month worldwide ban for breaching Italian gambling regulations while playing for AC Milan, which extends until August.

But this could be extended by the FA after the Italian was charged with betting on games 50 times between August and October 2023 following an investigation. He has until next Friday to respond to the charges, which are wholly separate to his suspension from the Italian FA.

Yet i understands that Newcastle do not believe the new charge will delay his return or impact his ability to train, which would be a major relief both for head coach Eddie Howe and fans yet to see any impact from the midfielder.

Tonali has been training with the first team since being handed the lengthy ban to keep himself fit and Howe has spoken of how well he has done in those sessions.

Any extended ban would represent a blow to Newcastle’s long-term ambitions and give the club headaches in the transfer market. But fears of an extended ban if found guilty have been played down by insiders.

It is understood that Tonali has worked with the club’s newlyappointed head of psychology Ian Mitchell during his ban as part of the club’s programme of support.

Howe has spoken in glowing terms about Tonali’s application even though he is unable to play in friendly or behind-closed-doors games. i understands any potential penalty could be backdated in line with his current ban, as his last charge dates back to 12 October, or suspended depending on any future offences.

The case will be heard by an independent commission regardless of whether he pleads guilty. The Italian’s agent disclosed last year that he suffers from a gambling addiction. The act of players gambling on football anywhere in the world is banned by the FA and can carry a significant punishment.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney was banned for eight months last May for 232 breaches of FA gambling rules.

An FA spokesperson said: “Sandro Tonali has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of the FA’s betting rules.

And in a statement, the club said: “Sandro continues to fully comply with relevant investigations and he retains the club’s full support.”