NHL suspends Ottawa Senators' Shane Pinto for gambling
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The NHL has suspended Senators C Shane Pinto "for as many as 41 games for activities violating the league’s wagering rules." The league did specifically point out that its investigation "found no evidence that Pinto made any wagers on NHL games." Pinto is the first player under the NHL’s rules to be suspended for gambling. The NHLPA "was fully aware" of the situation and has been "negotiating with the league on Pinto’s behalf in this settlement." That "doesn’t mean the union won’t appeal the suspension." League sources said that Pinto’s online gambling account in the U.S. "was flagged by a company that is a partner of the league because of unusual activity" and it "contacted the NHL’s head office recently" (OTTAWA SUN, 10/26).
Elsewhere in the sports world, Newcastle MF Sandro Tonali has been suspended for 10 months by the Italian Football Federation for the "use of illegal gambling sites and for betting on soccer matches while he was playing in Italy." He’s also accused of "betting on AC Milan matches while he was with the team." Tonali’s ban is "set to apply worldwide" -- meaning he would be "ineligible to play for Newcastle the rest of the 2023-24 season or play for Italy in Euro 2024." The penalty came after Tonali "agreed to the punishment as part of a plea bargain" following an investigation into Tonali and other players' betting habits (YAHOO SPORTS, 10/26).
