Sandro Tonali could face a fresh ban after being charged by the Football Association with placing 50 bets on football matches since joining Newcastle last summer.
Tonali is currently serving a 10-month worldwide footballing ban for breaching Italian gambling regulations while playing for AC Milan, which extends until August of this year.
But this could now be extended by the FA after the Italian midfielder was charged with betting on matches 50 times between August and October 2023 following an investigation.
Tonali has until 5 April to respond to the charges, which are wholly separate to his suspension from the Italian FA.
Yet i understands that Newcastle don’t believe the new charge will delay his return or impact his ability to train with the first team, which would be a major relief both for Eddie Howe and supporters yet to see any impact from the former Milan 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 major blow to Newcastle’s long-term ambitions, as well as give the club headaches in the transfer market. But fears of an extended ban if he is found guilty of the charges have been played down by insiders.
It’s understood that Tonali has worked with the club’s newly-appointed head of psychology Ian Mitchell during his ban as part of the club’s programme of support around the Italy midfielder.
And Howe has spoken in glowing terms about Tonali’s application even though he is unable to play even in friendly or behind-closed-doors games.
i understands any potential FA penalty could be backdated in line with his current ban as his last charge dates back to 12 October 2023, or suspended depending on any future offences.
Tonali’s case will be heard by an independent commission regardless of whether he pleads guilty or not.
The Italian’s agent disclosed last year that he suffers from a gambling addiction.
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 in May 2023 for 232 breaches of the FA’s gambling rules.
An FA spokesperson said: “Sandro Tonali has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of the FA’s betting rules.
“It’s alleged that the Newcastle United midfielder breached FA Rule E8 50 times by placing bets on football matches between 12 August 2023 and 12 October 2023.”
And in a statement, the club said: “Newcastle United acknowledges a misconduct charge received by Sandro Tonali in respect of alleged breaches of FA betting rules.
“Sandro continues to fully comply with relevant investigations and he retains the club’s full support.
“Due to this ongoing process, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to offer further comment at this time.”
