Newcastle player Sandro Tonali ‘agrees’ 10-month punishment as Milan old boy is cleared for St James’ ‘farewell’
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is reportedly facing a 10-month ban for illicit betting, with Italian authorities expected to announce the sentence later this week after a series of meetings.
For several days, the player’s lawyers have been talking with Italian authorities and the Italian football organization, and multiple sites now suggest an announcement is imminent. Tonali, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan in a £55 million summer transfer, is set to face a suspension that could terminate his season and possibly his career.
According to Sky Sports Italia and Gazzetta dello Sport, the ban will not take effect until this evening. That means Tonali will be able to participate in Wednesday’s Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund at St James’ Park, allowing Tonali the opportunity to say an emotional farewell to the Toon Army for the time being.
According to reports, UEFA did not want the midfielder to play, but they are unable to prohibit his appearance until the authorities officially confirm the suspension. According to reports, that will most certainly arrive on Thursday morning.
As a result, Tonali will miss the rest of the season as well as the 2024 European Championships, when Italy hopes to defend the crown they won just three years ago at Wembley.
The footballer will miss the first few weeks of the 2024/25 Premier League season due to the suspension, which will last until August 2024.
Tonali, on the other hand, will be allowed to continue practicing with Newcastle, which the club believes is vital both for Tonali as a person and as a valuable footballer.
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Details on Sandro Tonali’s suspension have emerged.
Newcastle have yet to comment on the apparent arrangement, but according to the Daily Mail, a stipulation in his contract means they are not have to pay the 23-year-old during his suspension.
According to il Gazzetta, Tonali’s 10-month suspension will also entail an additional eight months of social punishment and rehabilitation for gambling addiction. However, it should be noted that he will be free to resume his professional career in August 2024, once his 10-month suspension has expired, with the additional sanctions targeted at assisting the player’s recuperation.
These will also contain ‘additional sanctions’ in addition to the football ban. The 15-time Azzurri cap will have to go through an anti-gambling treatment plan as well as serve time as a spokesman against compulsive and illicit gambling at’some amateur sports bodies’.
Tonali will be subjected to this in England, with Italian prosecutors need Newcastle’s cooperation because they are unable to force him to serve his ‘sentence’ in Italy.
However, one intriguing thread has emerged: Tonali’s cooperation with authorities has saved the player from a more serious and lengthy suspension. To that end, the highest punishment he might have gotten would have been three years in prison if he had been found guilty of violating the guidelines while denying any wrongdoing.
Newcastle is looking for a successor for Tonali.
Tonali’s betting, which dates back to his time as a Milan player, also revealed that he gambled on Milan to win matches.
Newcastle are likely to step up their attempts to sign a replacement as soon as the suspension is confirmed, which could be as soon as Thursday.
Newcastle have apparently been looking at a variety of viable possibilities ahead of the January transfer season, with Manchester City exile Kalvin Phillips high on their wishlist.
Tonali signed a five-year contract with Newcastle in July and has scored once in 10 appearances for the club.
DON’T MISS: Newcastle are expected to make a January move for Everton’s Tonali as Howe prepares for Tonali’s ban.
