Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been charged by the Football Association with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of betting rules.
The 23-year-old Italy international is currently serving a 10-month suspension from football after breaching betting rules in his homeland.
Tonali joined Newcastle for a reported £55m last summer from AC Milan and made 12 first-team appearances for the Magpies before being charged by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in October following an investigation.
The midfielder was also fined €20,000 (£17,438) and was at risk of a three-year suspension from football without cooperation in the investigation under regulations of world governing body FIFA, but Italian FA chief Gabriele Gravina praised Tonali for 'collaborating beyond belief' in the process.
FIFA eventually intervened and granted the FIGC's request to have Tonali's ban extended worldwide, but the midfielder has been allowed to train with his Newcastle teammates.
As part of his ban, Tonali has been required to attend treatment sessions for his gambling addiction, an issue confirmed by his agent Giuseppe Riso during the investigation.
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The English FA have since revealed that Tonali has broken 50 fresh betting rules after he allegedly placed bets on football games following his big-money transfer to St James' Park between 12 August and 12 October 2023.
A statement from the FA read: "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. Sandro Tonali has until 5 April 2024 to respond."
A statement from Newcastle read: "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."
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Will Sandro Tonali face further punishment?
Tonali's current 10-month betting ban is due to expire on August 27, meaning that he will miss Euro 2024 and Newcastle's first game of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The midfielder is now facing 50 fresh alleged offences that are said to have taken place since he joined Newcastle and they therefore fall under English FA jurisdiction rather than the FIGC.
An independent commission is set to judge Tonali's betting offences on a case-by-case basis and decide whether he will face further punishment, with the midfielder able to either accept or deny the allegations against him; Tonali has previously been fully cooperative with the investigations into his betting activity.
Tonali was handed his 10-month ban following a swift investigation in October last year, after initial reports of his betting activity surfaced earlier in the month, but it remains to be seen when this next case will be concluded.
Oliver Thomas
