Newcastle United sweat on Sandro Tonali's second gambling charge with FA verdict imminent

Newcastle United supporters have been robbed of watching last summer’s marquee arrival throughout the 2023-24 campaign. Sandro Tonali sparked jubilation across Tyneside when he ditched the sunny streets of Milan for the British gloom.

Premier League football awaited one of Europe’s top emerging talents but, just eight games into his top-flight career, those dreams were shattered. A bombshell Italian betting saga unfolded - with Newcastle’s main man front and centre.

His Toon career was placed on pause after being found guilty by Italian authorities of breaching betting regulations. Tonali now faces an anxious wait as he awaits the verdict from fresh FA allegations.

How the saga started

Controversial Italian media personality Fabrizio Corona reported last August that Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was suffering from gambling addiction - and in heavy debt as a result. Two months later, media outlet La Stampa claimed Fagioli was under investigation by authorities for using illegal betting platforms, with his representatives confirming he their client would cooperate.

Police officers then turned up to Italy’s training camp to question Tonali and Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo. Fagioli had alleged throughout the investigation that Tonali introduced him to illicit betting apps - an accusation the Toon midfielder denies.

Tonali agreed to work with authorities throughout the investigation but received a stricter punishment. While Fagioli faced a year-long ban, with five months suspended, Tonali was slapped with a 10-month suspension.

The former AC Milan was found to have placed bets on his own team, AC Milan, and failed to self-report the gambling misdemeanours. Tonali, whose agent confirmed had also been suffering from addiction, must also undergo eight months of rehabilitation, with Villa midfielder Zaniolo - who is still playing - denying betting on football-related activities.

Fresh probe

Newcastle fear they could be slapped with double jeopardy as the FA charged Tonali with further alleged betting breaches last month. A statement claimed the 23-year-old placed 50 bets - as a Toon player - between August 12 and October 12.

The Magpies are confident that his current ban is sufficient punishment and any further suspension should run concurrently. In a follow-up announcement, Newcastle revealed Tonali “continues to fully comply with relevant investigations” while publicly supporting their player.

When can we expect a result?

The FA revealed in their initial statement that Tonali had until April 5 to respond. It is approaching two weeks since that deadline - so a verdict should be imminent.

FA investigations can prove long-winded, unlike the Italian inquiry, which saw Tonali charged and banned within a week. As mentioned, Newcastle hope complying with the authorities will result in a more sympathetic conclusion. Until the FA release their findings, Tonali is banned until August 26 - two games into the 2024-25 season.

How is Tonali coping?

A more disastrous scenario for the Magpies would have been Tonali being injured for 10 months. Fortunately, he has trained throughout and, if there are any silver linings, it is that the midfielder can settle into English life without the distractions of playing.

His English is understood to have improved drastically and hellbent on repaying the support shown by the club. Supporters continue to chant his name at matches and a hilarious situation unfolded where Tonali was on FaceTime to fans during Newcastle’s FA Cup win over Blackburn Rovers.

NUFC TV footage also shows Tonali smiling and joking with his teammates. Fans questioned his body language when he first joined Newcastle but he now appears more extroverted.