Newcastle United will re-educate their first-team players about the perils of gambling following the confirmation of Sandro Tonali’s suspension for illegal betting activity.

Tonali, 23, has been banned for 10 months, with a further eight months of rehabilitation. According to his agent, Giuseppe Riso, the player has been suffering from a gambling “illness.”

Newcastle’s priority has been to protect and support Tonali since his name first became linked with investigations by the Italian prosecutor’s office and its football federation.

While that process will continue during his absence from training and matches over the next 10 months, Newcastle will also conduct training sessions to remind all their players about the potential pitfalls of gambling.

This will include the first team, with professional footballers barred from placing any bets on any global football market at any level. “We will definitely be doing that,” said a senior figure at St James’ Park, speaking anonymously in order to discuss club policy freely.

While footballers in England are allowed to gamble on other sports – Tonali was accused of using illegal betting platforms in Italy – the Professional Footballers Association offers the following guidance to their members: “Studies have shown professional athletes are more likely to develop problem gambling habits, so think carefully before placing any bets.”

There are also stringent rules in place that prevent players from passing on information that gives somebody else a betting advantage and bets cannot be placed on a player’s behalf. In 2020, Kieran Trippier, the Newcastle and England defender, was banned for 10 weeks and fined £70,000 after allegedly telling friends about his impending move from Tottenham Hotspur to Atletico Madrid.

Brentford forward Ivan Toney is currently serving an eight-month ban from football and was fined £50,000 for 232 breaches of the FA’s betting rules.

At a regular pre-match press conference earlier this month, Eddie Howe spoke about the importance of educating players.

“Education is always the most important thing,” the Newcastle head coach said. “In the academies, getting that information through to the players and developing good habits in your life is so important as a professional athlete, so you can to give yourself the best chance of having the longest career possible. As a club, it’s our duty to do that.”

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