Newcastle's Sandro Tonali set to return after betting ban

Newcastle United have announced that midfielder Sandro Tonali could return to competitive football for his team's game against Tottenham on Sept. 1 after the completion of a 10-month ban for breaching gambling rules in Italy .

Tonali, 24, was handed the ban by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in October 2023, and has since been handed a two-month suspended ban by the English Football Association (FA) for contravening betting rules following his move to the Premier League .

"Sandro Tonali will return to selection on Wednesday 28 August following the conclusion of his ten-month ban from competitive football," Newcastle posted on X on Thursday .

As part of a plea-bargain deal with the FIGC that afforded the former AC Milan player a less severe punishment, Tonali has attended treatment sessions for problem gamblers and will give a series of talks about his experience over a further eight-month period.

FIFA and FIGC regulations meant that the Italy international could have faced a three-year suspension, but his cooperation with the authorities leading the investigation -- the FIGC and the Italian prosecutor's office -- led to a reduction in the length of his ban.

Tonali's ban in England was suspended as a result of his cooperation and self-referral, as laid out in the findings of the independent regulatory commission appointed by the FA to investigate the matter.

Newcastle signed Tonali from AC Milan in in July 2023 in a deal worth a reported €70 million ($74.7m) with add-ons, but has not appeared for the team since shortly before his ban came into force.

He played 11 games prior to the ban, scoring one goal.