Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-28 19:32:56
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has found himself in hot water as he has been charged with misconduct by the England’s Football Association for allegedly being involved in 50 incidents of betting on matches. The FA revealed this information on Thursday, shedding light on Tonali’s alleged breaches of FA rule E8 that occurred between August 12, 2023, and October 12, 2023. The 23-year-old has been given until April 5 to respond to these allegations.
This is not the first time Tonali has faced trouble due to his association with betting. In October last year, it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the season for both club and country after FIFA ratified a 10-month ban imposed by Italian authorities for breaching betting regulations. As a result, he will also be absent from Italy’s defense of their European Championship title in the upcoming finals in Germany.
Tonali’s agent has previously claimed that his client, who made the switch from AC Milan to Newcastle for around £55 million in July, is struggling with a gambling addiction. In addition to the ban, Tonali was fined 20,000 euros and ordered to undergo an eight-month therapy course to address his issues after striking a plea deal following an investigation into illegal betting conducted by the Italian prosecuting authorities and the Italian Football Federation.
Reacting to the FA’s misconduct charge against Tonali, Newcastle issued a statement saying, “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.”
The situation highlights the serious consequences that can arise from involvement in betting activities for professional footballers. It serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of the sport and adhering to the rules and regulations set forth by governing bodies like the FA and FIFA. As Tonali navigates through this challenging period, he will need to address his gambling addiction and take responsibility for his actions to ensure a successful return to the pitch in the future.
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