The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has announced that Sandro Tonali is banned for the rest of the season. The FA has suspended the midfielder for 10 months over illegal betting. The Italian defensive midfielder’s impressive start to the new season with Newcastle has been cut short three months into the season.
The initial queries about the ban are related to the wages of the Italian midfielder. Early reports from Italy point that the English club will suspend the pay of the midfielder during the ban. However, Newcastle United are yet to comment on the ban as well as the suspended pay.
It has been reported in Italy that there is a clause in the contract of Sandro Tonali that allows Newcastle United to suspend the pay of the midfielder. The midfielder is on a huge contract with the club, which earns him $8.5 million (net) per season. The ban can result in a loss of around $7.1 million (net) in wages for the midfielder.
🚨 BREAKING: Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 month due to gambling addition scandal plus also 8 months of participation in gambling rehab plan.
Tonali, suspended for 10 months from football activities — back August 2024.
🚫 Season over with #NUFC and also NO Euro2024. pic.twitter.com/nlrM7eMecW
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 26, 2023
Italian FA chief, Gabriele Gravina, talked to the reporters about the ban. He explained the terms of the ban involving the plea bargain: “A plea bargain is envisaged for 18 months of which 8 months is activity recovery, some concerns therapeutic activity and at least 16 face-to-face meetings as testimony.”
Sandro Tonali’s legal team was working on a plea deal for the player. It was earlier reported that Tonali would be banned for 12 months, however, the plea deal has worked in favor of the Italian midfielder by reducing the ban to just 10 months. The admission of guilt by the midfielder has helped him reduce the ban.
Newcastle United manager comments on the character of Sandro Tonali
Sandro Tonali made his last appearance for the season for Newcastle United when he came off the bench against Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League. The involvement of the Italian midfielder couldn’t stop the German side from picking up three points against the English club.
After the match, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe spoke about Tonali: “Sandro is a top, top person and a top character. I’ve got no doubts about him as a person at all. But like anybody, you don’t know everything about every person. It’s impossible to. Like all human beings, they can have vulnerabilities and weaknesses and things that happen in our lives that are difficult.”
🗣 “He’s handling himself very well and he’s dealing with his emotions incredibly strongly”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says Sandro Tonali is available for selection, despite being under investigation for alleged illegal betting activity. pic.twitter.com/enBZb7dQy9
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 20, 2023
Meanwhile, Newcastle United are prompted into action with the report of the ban. The English club is threatening the former club of the midfielder with a lawsuit. Corriere dello Sport reports that Newcastle United will for a multimillion lawsuit over the imminent ban.
The English club is furious with AC Milan for the conduct of the midfielder during his stint with Milan. Newcastle United will look to claim damages due to the non-availability of the Italian midfielder for the rest of the season.
The ban will not only hamper the current season’s performances in the League and Europe but can have a lasting impact on the club if they miss out on the Top four in the Premier League. Looking forward, Newcastle United will travel to Wolves for a Premier League fixture this weekend as they look to climb the table from sixth place.