Sandro Tonali: Newcastle midfielder still available despite 10-month ban for breaching betting rules

Newcastle are in an extraordinary state of limbo with midfielder Sandro Tonali set to travel with the squad for Saturday's game against Wolves despite a 10-month ban from football hanging over him. Tonali is to be banned over breaches of rules on betting on matches in Italy. According to Sky in Italy, the 10-month ban still needs to be rubber-stamped by the Italian authorities. Formal ratification could come on Friday afternoon, but until it does, Tonali is available for selection. Once the ban is ratified, the 23-year-old, a £55m summer signing from AC Milan, will miss the remainder of Newcastle's season and Italy's Euro 2024 finals campaign, should they qualify. Tonali will not be able to play competitive football until August 2024 but is free to train with Newcastle and play in friendlies.

Speaking at Friday's press conference, manager Eddie Howe confirmed: “We've not had official confirmation as a football club. We've not had anything from the Italian authorities so we are waiting for that official confirmation to come through. There's a high chance he could be available for us. A few things need to happen before the ban is imposed so let's see.” Howe added: “You saw from the Dortmund game he did very well. He's been bright and he's trained. The only way I can judge him is on that. He's been good around the group and the training ground. From how I can see, he's handling himself in the right way.

Tonali is set for a 10-month ban from football “I think I said in the press conference the other day, I can't work with hindsight. We didn't know this was even a possibility. There's a frustration that we won't have him now as I liked him as a footballer.” Howe said it would be down to the club if it would pursue a legal matter. The Newcastle boss hopes all parties can learn from the episode. “There's always scope to improve what we're offering our players in terms of education,” he continued. “There's pitfalls to being a professional footballer and if we can offer this guidance more, it will help avoid future scenarios.

Newcastle United finds itself in a rather unusual and uncertain situation as their star midfielder, Sandro Tonali, faces a 10-month ban from football. This suspension stems from his involvement in betting on matches during his time with AC Milan, an action that has raised serious concerns within the football community.

As of now, the ban, which is set to keep Tonali out of the game for nearly a year, is pending formal approval by the Italian authorities. The confirmation could come as early as Friday afternoon, but until then, Tonali remains eligible for selection by the Newcastle team.

Tonali, a high-profile £55 million signing from AC Milan during the summer transfer window, has already made a significant impact on the team. However, if the ban is ratified, it will force him to sit out the rest of Newcastle's current season and potentially miss Italy's Euro 2024 finals, should they qualify. In essence, the 23-year-old midfielder will not be able to participate in competitive football until August 2024. Despite this, he is allowed to continue training with the Newcastle squad and can participate in friendly matches.

The uncertain status of Tonali has left fans and the club in a state of suspense. Newcastle's manager, Eddie Howe, spoke at a recent press conference, highlighting the lack of official confirmation from the Italian authorities. He expressed optimism about Tonali's potential availability, stating, “A few things need to happen before the ban is imposed, so let's see.”

Howe went on to praise Tonali's performance in recent matches, especially referencing his notable contribution during the game against Dortmund. The player's dedication to training and his positive impact on the team have not gone unnoticed. Howe emphasized that his assessment of Tonali is solely based on the player's on-field performance and professionalism.

Despite the optimism surrounding Tonali's availability, there is an air of regret among the Newcastle camp. Howe expressed his disappointment at the possibility of not having Tonali available, saying, “There's always scope to improve what we're offering our players in terms of education. There's pitfalls to being a professional footballer, and if we can offer this guidance more, it will help avoid future scenarios.”

The situation surrounding Sandro Tonali serves as a reminder of the complex challenges and responsibilities that professional footballers face, both on and off the field. It also highlights the need for continuous education and support to help players navigate the intricate world of football and its associated regulations.

Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle United, has acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead if Sandro Tonali faces a lengthy ban. The uncertainty surrounding Tonali's future, with the possibility of no games for an extended period, is a significant concern for the team.

Howe emphasized the importance of communication between himself, the coaching staff, and Tonali during this testing period. He understands that the player's adjustment to a ban from competitive matches will be a difficult journey, and providing the necessary support and guidance will be essential.

In his perspective, Newcastle must have a robust squad capable of dealing with unforeseen circumstances like this. Football is known for its unpredictability, and while such situations can't be anticipated, the team needs to be prepared to handle them.

Howe's comments also reflect the emotional toll of dealing with such news as a manager. He described the mental aspect of accepting the situation and focusing on the training and game preparation, only to return to unexpected developments. The uncertainty can be challenging, and he has mentally prepared himself for a period without Sandro, even though the final outcome remains unclear.

The situation highlights the unpredictable nature of professional football and the need for managers and teams to adapt to unexpected challenges and uncertainties.

Sandro Tonali's situation has taken an intriguing turn as details of his obligations in response to the betting violation have emerged. As part of his deal with the Italian authorities, Tonali is required to attend treatment sessions for problem gamblers and give a series of talks about his experience over an additional eight-month period.

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) is working with Tonali to provide the necessary support during this challenging time. This partnership demonstrates the commitment to helping players facing such issues and emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation alongside punitive measures.

The entire case has unfolded following an investigation by Turin prosecutors into soccer players using illegal websites for betting on games. Tonali actively cooperated with the investigation, which contributed to the decision to offer him a plea bargain. Without his cooperation, he could have faced a suspension of up to three years under FIFA rules.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President, Gabriele Gravina, disclosed that Tonali has been suspended for 18 months, with the possibility of commuting eight of those months through participation in treatment for gambling addiction and delivering a series of public talks about his experiences. This approach, according to Gravina, aims not just to punish but also to help players recover and raise awareness about the issues they face.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has shown support for Tonali, indicating that the club is “committed to him long-term.” When asked if Tonali owes an apology to the club or the media, Howe refrained from making any demands for an apology. He views it as a matter to be discussed internally between himself, the player, and the club.

Howe acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead, especially in managing the team's resources and strategies, given the uncertainty surrounding Tonali's availability. He recognizes the need for adaptability in the face of changing circumstances and the possibility of needing additional resources in the January transfer window.

Howe also highlights the difficulty of understanding every aspect of a player's personal life and the challenges they might face outside of the football pitch. He emphasizes that the situation Tonali has found himself in is not a new problem for football, underlining the importance of offering support and understanding to players who encounter such issues.

Sandro Tonali's case sheds light on the complexities and challenges that professional footballers can face, both on and off the field, and the need for a compassionate and supportive approach to address these issues.