Newcastle United have announced that midfielder Sandro Tonali could return to competitive football for his side's match against Tottenham on September 1 after completing a 10-month ban for breaching playing rules in Italy.
Tonali, 24, was banned by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in October 2023 and has since been handed a two-month suspended ban by the English Football Association (FA) for contravening betting rules following his move to the Premier League.
“Sandro Tonali will return to international duty on Wednesday 28 August after completing his ten-month suspension from competitive football,” Newcastle said. Posted on X on Thursday.
As part of a plea deal with the FIGC that gave the former AC Milan player a less severe punishment, Tonali has attended treatment sessions for problem gamblers and will give a series of talks about his experience over a further eight-month period.
FIFA and FIGC regulations meant the Italian international could have faced a three-year ban, but his cooperation with the authorities leading the investigation (the FIGC and the Italian prosecution) led to a reduction in the length of his ban.
Tonali's ban in England was lifted as a result of his cooperation and self-determination, as set out in the findings of the independent regulatory committee appointed by the FA to investigate the matter.
Newcastle signed Tonali from AC Milan in July 2023 in a deal worth €70 million ($74.7 million) with add-ons, but he has not featured in the team since shortly before his ban came into effect.
He played 11 games before the ban and scored one goal.
