Newcastle and Italy’s Sandro Tonali, a midfielder, faces a 10-month ban imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) due to a violation of betting regulations. This suspension means the 23-year-old won’t be eligible to play until August and might miss Euro 2024 if Italy qualifies.
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil emphasized the need for comprehensive education on gambling for players, highlighting its pervasive presence in the past. He expressed his concern that what seems like harmless fun can lead to significant consequences like lengthy bans and financial losses.
Crystal Palace’s Roy Hodgson emphasized that the responsibility for gambling ultimately rests with the individuals, and he disagreed with the notion that club sponsors encourage players to gamble. He acknowledged the importance of further education in this regard.
The Big Step, a campaign advocating for the end of gambling advertising and sponsorship in football, urged empathy and support for footballers facing addiction rather than imposing lengthy bans. They raised concerns about the prevalence of gambling advertisements in football, suggesting it creates a challenging environment for those struggling with addiction.
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Newcastle Have Shown Sandro Tonali Great Support
Speaking before Sandro Tonali’s ban was announced, former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live it will be “really difficult” for Sandro Tonali to remain living in England while he is banned from playing.
However, Shearer added that the “Newcastle public have shown great support” to the Italian.
“He [Howe] came out and stuck up for him as you’d expect and he said he wanted everyone to put their arms around him,” Shearer said.
“Certainly the crowd did that at the weekend [against Crystal Palace] and when they were going round the pitch at the end he got a great reception. There’s a fine balance between a punishment and protecting people.”
