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8 months ago
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On Thursday afternoon, Sandro Tonali made headlines again.
Five months after a worldwide ban of ten months came into effect on the midfielder playing competitive football.
Yesterday seeing the English FA make an official announcement (see below) regarding alleged breaches by Sandro Tonali of their Betting Rules early this season.
The FA charge saying these alleged 50 bets / breaches had happened up to 12 October 2023, before the Italian FA investigation came to light.
The FA official statement on Sandro Tonali – 28 March 2024:
‘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.’
Why on earth it has taken the English FA five months or more to do this, is anybody’s guess.
It would be ridiculous if a further ban was imposed on Sandro Tonali and indeed most of the reporting in the media, had journalists claiming that their information was that whatever the English FA come out with. Even if Tonali is found to have breached their betting rules, any potential punishment from the English FA wouldn’t see an extension of that ban which runs out on 27 August 2024.
However, until that is confirmed, we can’t take anything for granted, especially considering how NUFC’s luck has gone this season.
Eddie Howe was always going to be asked about the Sandro Tonali statement from The FA on Thursday and at his West Ham press conference this Friday morning, an excellent nuanced reaction from the NUFC Head Coach regarding the FA charges:
“It was no surprise to us.
“Sandro from day one co-operated.
“He was very honest with us, with the club, with the authorities.
“On what he had done, what happened.
“So we have been supporting him through this process.”
Eddie Howe asked if he thought the ten months ban would be extended:
“The honest answer is that we don’t know.
“I certainly hope for Sandro’s sake that there are no further consequences.
“He has suffered during this period.
“He has sought help.
“He has been very honest.
“Admitted that he has an issue.
“The best thing for Sandro would be to resume his career, having taken his punishment and learned a lot of lessons.
“It goes without saying that it would be a blow [for Newcastle United] if the ban was extended.
“You can’t quantify how much we have missed him this season.
“It has been frustrating beyond belief.
“If the ban was extended then we would still be feeling that pain, so would Sandro.
“He wants to play football.
“That illness (betting addiction) didn’t stop when Sandro moved from Italy to England.
“The illness was there and people should look at it that way.
“Not let’s throw the book at him and punish him further.
“Instead, let’s get to the root of the problem.
“This is a bigger problem for society and it isn’t just a problem for Sandro.”
Eddie Howe, as always, talking in a very balanced intelligent way.
Not arguing that Sandro Tonali didn’t deserve punishment for breaking betting rules BUT at the same time, making clear that any extension to this ten months ban would be beyond belief and completely unfair and inappropriate.

 
