Newcastle United have extended Sandro Tonali's contract until 2029, a significant move amidst the fallout from his betting scandal. The deal, reportedly agreed upon during Tonali's ten-month ban for illegal betting, includes an option to extend it by another year, potentially keeping him at the club until 2030. This extension serves as a strong signal of support from the Magpies for the Italian midfielder, who is currently serving a ban for breaching betting rules.

Tonali's initial five-year deal was set to expire in 2028, but the new agreement demonstrates Newcastle's commitment to the player despite his off-field issues. The club's hierarchy seems to believe that Tonali has a future at Newcastle and are keen to protect their investment.

The Italian international joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July 2023 for a reported £55 million. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his Premier League debut in a 5-1 victory over Aston Villa. However, his promising start was abruptly halted when he was caught up in a widespread betting investigation.

In October 2023, Tonali was suspended from playing football for 10 months after being found to have used illegal betting sites to place bets on games involving his own teams. The ban, handed down by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), also included an eight-month therapeutic program to address his gambling addiction.

Further complicating matters, the Football Association (FA) has charged Tonali with 50 alleged breaches of its betting rules, relating to bets he allegedly placed between August 12 and October 12 of last year. These alleged offenses occurred after his move to Newcastle but before his suspension was imposed. Tonali has until April 5 to respond to the charges. It is thought that the FA will consider that Tonali has already been deprived of playing football for long enough and might treat the latest batch of alleged offences as an extension of a single period of betting.

Despite the ban and the FA charges, Newcastle have stood by Tonali, providing him with support and rehabilitation. He has continued to train with the first-team squad and participate in behind-closed-doors friendlies. The contract extension further solidifies this support and indicates the club's long-term plans for the midfielder.

Tonali has admitted to struggling with a gambling addiction and is undergoing therapy. His agent has acknowledged his client's problem, and Tonali agreed to a plea bargain with the Italian federation that included a therapy program.

The situation has drawn comparisons to other high-profile cases of footballers breaching betting rules. Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney received an eight-month ban for 232 breaches of the FA's regulations.

Newcastle's decision to extend Tonali's contract can be viewed as a gamble, given the ongoing investigation and the potential for further sanctions. However, it also reflects their belief in Tonali's talent and their commitment to helping him overcome his issues. The club appears willing to weather the storm and hopes that Tonali will emerge from this difficult period stronger and ready to fulfill his potential on the pitch.

The midfielder is reported to be happy at Newcastle and feels he has a debt to repay to the club after they stood by him.