Sports
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali banned 10 months for betting
Newcastle’s embattled midfielder Sandro Tonali, has been banned from football for ten (10) months and will further undergo a rehabilitation process for eight (8) months afterward.
Recall that the midfielder was alleged to have taken part in a betting scandal as opposed to the rules of the club and game. In response to the allegation, Tonali has confirmed the deposition, as it was more proven that the former Milan man didn’t only bet but also placed a bet on his then-team, AC Milan.
FiGC (The Italian Football Federation) President Gabriele Gravina, has, thus, confirmed Sandro Tonali will be banned for 10 months and will have to follow a rehab program for eight more months after that.
“The FIGC Prosecutor and Tonali have reached an agreement, which I have already approved.
“The agreement consists of a 10-month ban plus eight months of rehab activities and at least 16 public appearances.
“Rules provide a ban for a few years, but there can be a plea agreement and attenuating circumstances,” continued Gravina.
“The guys collaborated above and beyond expectations, so we will continue to follow the rules we had adopted.”
Recall that Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli was also involved in the same scandal and initially faced a 12-month suspension but was reduced to seven months. This reduction came about by Fagioli seeking help for his gambling addiction, committing to treatment, and making at least 10 public appearances to discourage others from going down a similar path.
Fagioli had voluntarily reported his situation to authorities before any investigation and did not place bets on his team, contributing to the decrease in his ban.
Additionally, Tonali has also taken steps to address his gambling addiction. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) will release an official statement confirming Tonali’s suspension later today.
Sports
Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley arrested by police
United States Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley was tasered and arrested by police following a confrontation with officers in Miami, Florida.
The 29-year-old, who won 100m bronze at last summer’s Paris Games, faces charges of battery, resisting a police officer and breach of the peace following the incident on Thursday evening.
Officers were investigating another incident when Kerley approached them with an “aggressive demeanour” over concern about his car, according to a police report.
The report said Kerley “continued to resist officers and used evasive movements to avoid being arrested” before being wrestled to the ground by four officers.
Police bodycam footage shows Kerley getting back to his feet then being tasered and falling back to the floor before being taken into custody.
Local media in Miami reported, external that on Friday Kerley made an appearance in court and he has now been released on bail.
His lawyer said the incident had been a “total misunderstanding”.
As well as his bronze in Paris, Kerley also won 100m silver at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and gold at the 2022 World Championships.
He has also won world 4x100m and 4x400m gold medals, and has recorded the sixth-fastest 100m time in history with 9.76 seconds.
Sports
Gift Orban joins Hoffenheim after one year at Olympique Lyon
Gift Orban, former Super Eagles invitee, has completed a move to Germany’s Hoffenheim from Olympique Lyon.
The German Bundesliga side announced the 22-year-old centre forward’s signature in a post on their X handle.
Orban signed a four-year deal and will wear jersey number 14 at his new club.
The move ends Orban’s torrid one-year spell at Lyon, in which he featured in 21 matches, scoring only five times.
He has only played five times this season, playing three Ligue 1 and two Europa League games, respectively.
The pacey striker has not been included in nine of the last 10 league matches for Lyon. Orban’s previous league appearance was on September 22, while he last played in a match for the former French League champions in the Europa League, coincidentally against his new club. The game ended 2-2, with Orban lasting 62 minutes before substitution.
Orban, who scored 32 goals in 52 matches for Genk before his move to Lyon, posted on his X that he handled his excitement about swapping France for Germany. He described his new home as “wonderful.”
“New year, new adventures! Excited to be part of This Wonderful Club Hoffenheim,” said Orban.
Andreas Schicker, Hoffenheim’s sporting director, was also excited about the player’s joining the club and believed his attacking skills would improve the struggling side.
“In Gift Orban, we have found exactly the fast striker with good depth that we were looking for. He has proven time and time again his goalscoring talent and his enjoyment of playing.
“We are therefore confident that he will bring our team greater offensive variability thanks to his abilities.”
Sports
AC Milan appoints Sergio Conceicao as new coach
Sergio Conceicao was named the new coach of AC Milan replacing his fellow Portuguese Paulo Fonseca who was sacked earlier on Monday, the Serie A club announced.
“AC Milan announces that Sergio Paulo Marceneiro da Conceicao has been appointed as the Head Coach of the men’s first team until June 30, 2026,” Milan said in a statement.
Conceicao takes over a Milan side that lies eighth in Serie A, eight points off the Champions League places.
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