FIGC has imposed a worldwide ban on Sandro Tonali.
Italian athletes who are caught wagering on their own sport may be subject to penalties and suspensions; in Sandro Tonali's case, the Federal Prosecutor's Office agreed to impose a 10-month ban in addition to eight months of rehabilitation.
The FIGC has now asked FIFA to enforce this suspension worldwide, and FIFA has agreed, and it will take effect right now.
The player's ban will prevent him from participating in a number of competitions, such as the 2024 European Championship and Newcastle United's Premier League campaign.
"The request submitted by the Italian Football Association to extend the sanction it imposed on the player Sandro Tonali on 27 October 2023 to have worldwide effect has been granted," FIFA stated to Reuters on Saturday.
Although he is not the only player to be banned, he has been given the most severe punishment; fellow Italian player Nicolò Fagioli was given a seven-month sentence for betting violations. It is yet unknown if this prohibition will also be enforced globally. According to Fagioli's agent, the athlete acknowledged that he was addicted to gambling.
The sentence coincides with a number of other suspensions, such as the eight-month ban that Brentford's England striker Ivan Toney received in May, which means he won't be able to play again until January 16, 2024.
Newcastle claims that "Sandro will be eligible to return to competitive football from Tuesday, 27th August 2024."
