What Tonali told youngsters during betting ban: ‘A gambler doesn’t talk about it’ | OneFootball

Sandro Tonali has explained what he told youngsters and recovering gambling addicts during his 10-month-long betting ban last season and has revealed the most memorable part of the educational appearances he had to make as part of his rehabilitation.

Tonali was handed a 10-month suspension, a €20,000 fine and was ordered to make a series of public appearances advising others against the mistakes he made after he was found to have taken part in prohibited gambling activity.

Professional players are not allowed to bet on football, especially not on matches that they were involved in, which is what Tonali was found to have done prior to his big-money move to Newcastle in 2023.

The Italy international has since returned to the Newcastle first team and the national team squad, and has cemented his status as a fan favourite for both.

Tonali: ‘I couldn’t take medication, I would have tested positive in anti-doping’

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 18: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Newcastle United and Brentford at St James’ Park on December 18, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Tonali has given an in-depth interview to La Republicca, discussing the impact of his betting ban, the changes in his life before and afterwards and the things he experienced while attending the educational programmes he was ordered to participate in.

The 24-year-old began with an assessment of what his life looked like when he was still gambling on a regular basis: “It’s not an exaggeration to talk about a first and second life. My lifestyle was negative, I was closed off to everyone and this made me change my behaviour, even with the people I love and who love me. Today, fortunately, I’m different.”

He went on to explain when gambling started to become a real issue: “It became a habit at 17-18 years old. The fact that it was online obscured everything, I closed myself off in a shell.

“I don’t think I felt like I ever had (an addiction). When you find yourself in a situation like that, it’s difficult to ask yourself if you’re sick. You’ll always say no, even if that is n ot the case. You can’t feel like there is a problem, so you tend to hide it.

“Usually you start to understand it when there is something to lose: Family, job, salary. In my case, the economic part didn’t make me realise the seriousness of the issue. It was a difficult recovery job. I couldn’t take specific medication because I would have tested positive for anti-doping with 95% of those, so it was all a mental journey. It lasted months with a psychologist and psychiatrist.”

What Tonali learned from educational appearances during betting ban

Tonali went on to explain how being in England has helped him during his recovery process.

“Teammates and coaches have always kept me close by. Newcastle fans have never judged me, they respect everyone’s problems here, they don’t tend to get on your back, they try to help you.

Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United and Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applaud the fans following the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United FC at Brentford Community Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

“The first month, I was travelling between Italy and England. I never came close to depression because I immediately started working on myself. Three sessions a week online and one face-to-face every month. I didn’t miss any of them.

“I did the 16 appearances organised by the FIGC in Italy. After the first six months of the disqualification, I was in Bari, Rome, Florence, Milan, Verona. I met the youngsters and staff of those teams.

“From 12, 13, 14-year-olds, the questions are like ‘who is the best player you’ve played against?’. Adults ask you the reasons why you come to make certain mistakes. In academies, they wanted to know my secret to breaking through.”

Tonali went on to reveal the ‘most memorable’ part of his rehabilitation journey.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United takes to the field prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St. James Park on August 12, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

“(It was) in Newcastle, in a factory that makes covers for gas pipes in the ocean. I went there because gambling is also widespread in England. There were some people who told me ‘I stopped betting because of what happened to you’. They had been gamblers for years.

“An Italian guy told me that one employee earns £2,000 per month, but sometimes he needs to work overtime to support his family because he throws too much money into gambling.”

Tonali was also asked if he feels like a role model now.

He replied: “A gambler doesn’t talk about it, but if you detach yourself from it, you can commit to yourself. Talking is the hardest thing. You will never be seen as a loser, the only real help is opening up.”