Sandro Tonali, the Newcastle United FC and Italian national team footballer, has been disqualified for 18 months from professional football after admitting to breaching betting rules.
Tonali was found to have breached rules which prohibit players from betting on football matches organised by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), UEFA and FIFA.
He will be unavailable to play for club or country for ten months, with 8 months of his suspension commuted to gambling addiction therapy. He will also pay a fine of €20,000.
The therapy programme will include at least 16 public events in Italy, at which Tonali will warn young players about the dangers of betting and gambling addiction.
Tonali’s suspension by FIGC follows the six-month suspension that was handed to Nicolò Fagioli of Juventus FC on 17 October.
Fagioli was sanctioned with 12 months disqualification, 6 months of which was commuted to gambling therapy. He was fined €12,500.