Newcastle United fans have been reacting to the news that star player Sandro Tonalihas been banned for 10 months for gambling. The offences happened while he was playing at AC Milan, his former club, according to Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian football federation (FIGC). Gravina said Tonali would have to go through an eight-month rehabilitation period as part of the agreement. Tonali’s agent has said the player has a gambling addiction and that he cooperated fully with Italian authorities. The 23-year-old admitted he placed bets on matches, including some he played in for AC Milan. He signed for Newcastle for £55m over the summer. Professional footballers in Italy are banned from betting on games organised by Fifa, Uefa or the FIGC. The default ban is three years long, though issuing a guilty plea and cooperating with authorities can see that shortened. Newcastle fans, having already heard the news of a potential ban earlier this month, were determined to stay positive. One person said: “The burden of hiding his gambling is now off his shoulders… He’ll get the right help for his addiction… He will only be 24 when he returns to a full playing career.” Another person said: “Could have been much worse. He will get treatment in Italy, do community work in Italy and gets to train and play friendlies with us. “This way he hopefully gets support, treatment and stays integrated within the team until he is back properly.” One other person added: “Would be nice to see Tonali release something with club giving his side. Thanking fans for support and be back stronger etc for his nufc career.” Newcastle’s manager, Eddie Howe, said last Friday: “We will throw our arms around Sandro and protect him and try to give him the love and support he needs to find solutions to the problems he’s had. “We see him being part of our team for many years. We are committed to him long term.” Charities such as GambleAware and GamCare provide support for people struggling with gambling addictions. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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Asking a footballer who is addicted to gambling to play in stadiums plastered in betting logos is akin to making an alcoholic work in a pub, campaigners have said. The Big Step campaign, part of the Gambling With Lives charity, has said Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali deserves “empathy and support” for his gambling rather than a 10-month ban. Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said on Thursday the 23-year-old had been suspended for 10 months and ordered to undertake a further eight-month rehabilitation programme, according to reports in Italy. The player’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, has said his client is living with a gambling addiction. The PFA is understood to be working with and continuing to support Tonali. “Footballers are human and if they are suffering from addiction they deserve empathy and support, not lengthy bans,” the Big Step said in a statement issued to the PA news agency. “Every football game is wall-to-wall with gambling ads, not just across shirts but around stadiums and related media content. “Sending someone addicted to gambling into this environment is like sending an alcoholic to work in a pub. If you force young footballers to endorse addictive products then don’t be surprised if they use them. “Ending all gambling advertising and sponsorship in football, including all parts of the shirt and in every stadium, will help to prevent harm to those on and off the pitch.” Gravina told reporters: “An agreement has been reached between the federal prosecutor and Sandro Tonali. “The plea agreement is for 18 months, of which eight months is for rehabilitation, which involves therapeutic activity and making at least 16 public appearances. “The rules call for a certain number of years of suspension, but the plea bargain and extenuating circumstances have been taken into consideration and the players’ collaboration went above and beyond, therefore we must continue to respect the rules we have established for ourselves.” Tonali was one of several players named in the FIGC’s investigation, which also saw Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli banned for seven months. Read More It doesn’t add up – North Wales Crusaders chief on IMG’s new grading system England ‘at end of cycle’ in ODIs – Michael Atherton England bowled out for just 156 in must-win World Cup clash with Sri Lanka

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