Sandro Tonali betting ban: Newcastle star handed 10-month suspension after extraordinary plea bargain - with 2023-24 season ended & Euro 2024 dreams dashed

Tonali admitted to the offence of betting on games in which he played and has now negotiated a 10-month ban with Italian prosecutors. Without his cooperation, the Italy international would have faced a three-year ban.

Tonali is not the only Italian player facing a ban, as both Aston Villa's Nicolo Zaniolo and Juventus' Nicolo Fagioli are also implicated in the ongoing betting scandal. The latter has already been banned for seven months.

Tonali appeared to be aware that the shoe was about to drop, having embarked on a lap of honour after the Magpies' 4-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend, and has now been informed of his punishment. Tonali will miss the remainder of the Premier League season and Euro 2024, should Italy qualify.

FIGC (Italian Football Federation) president Gabriele Gravina said: "The FIGC Prosecutor and Tonali have reached an agreement which I have already approved.

"The agreement consists of a 10-match ban plus eight months of rehab activities and at least 16 appearances."

Newcastle spent £55 million ($66m) on Tonali when prising him away from AC Milan during the summer transfer window, but have got just 10 games out of the 23-year-old before seeing him removed from Eddie Howe’s plans.