Newcastle Take A Gamble: Sandro Tonali Extends Magpies Deal To 2029 Amid Betting Scandal Fallout

Last Updated:October 22, 2025, 18:19 IST

Tonali extends Newcastle United contract to 2029 amid his betting ban, securing his future at St James’ Park.

Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali (X)

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has signed a contract extension keeping him at St James’ Park until 2029, with the option of a further year.

The agreement, reportedly finalised in secret during his 10-month ban for illegal betting, was designed to safeguard Newcastle financially as the club stood by the Italian through his suspension.

The 24-year-old’s previous deal, signed upon his £55 million arrival from AC Milan in July 2023, had been set to expire in 2028.

A Quiet Renewal During a Tumultuous Period

Tonali’s renewal — reached discreetly last year — ensured Newcastle retained long-term security on one of their marquee midfielders, even while he was unavailable to play.

Club sources viewed the extension as both a show of faith and a pragmatic financial step, given the scale of their investment.

Since returning to action, Tonali has featured prominently for Eddie Howe’s side, starting all eight of Newcastle’s Premier League matches in the 2025–26 campaign.

Last season, after serving his ban, he appeared 45 times in all competitions, registering six goals and three assists, as the Magpies pushed for European qualification.

The Betting Ban That Shook Italian Football

Tonali’s suspension, handed down in October 2023, stemmed from a wider investigation into illegal betting among Italian footballers.

Prosecutors alleged that Tonali and fellow Italy international Nicolò Fagioli were financially rewarded for recruiting others to unregulated gambling platforms.

Tonali admitted to betting on matches — including those involving his own team, AC Milan — and subsequently reached a plea bargain that included 10 months out of football and mandatory therapy for gambling addiction.

The ban cost him a place in Italy’s Euro 2024 squad, where the Azzurri’s title defence ended in a last-16 defeat to Switzerland.

Fagioli, who also confessed to long-standing gambling issues, received a seven-month ban and was reported to have accumulated over €3 million in debts from betting.

(with inputs from agencies)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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News sports Newcastle Take A Gamble: Sandro Tonali Extends Magpies Deal To 2029 Amid Betting Scandal Fallout

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