A Premier League star has now officially been hit with a major ban from football.
Newcastle United and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali has received a 10-month suspension from football following an investigation by the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office for illegally betting on his own team, which was AC Milan at the time, to win games.
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According to an official statement, president of the Italian Football Federation Gabriele Gavina said: "An agreement has already been reached between the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office and Sandro Tonali, which occurred before the referral, so it must be endorsed by the undersigned, which which I have already done. A plea agreement is expected for 18 months, of which 8 months of recovery activity, some of therapeutic activity and at least 16 face-to-face meetings as testimony.
"The rules provide for a certain number of years of sanction. A plea agreement is foreseen, extenuating circumstances are foreseen, the boys collaborated incredibly, for that's why we continue to respect the rules we have set for ourselves."
Tonali's compatriot and Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was also investigated by Turin prosecutors for alleged betting breaches, and received a seven-month ban last week for betting on football after reporting himself to Italian authorities.
In addition to being fined €12 500 (R249 000), Fagioli had five months of a one-year ban suspended after agreeing to undergo six months of therapy to address his gambling issues.
Like his international colleague, Tonali will also undergo a gambling rehabilitation plan, over a period of eight months.
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