FIFA have extended the ban of Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali worldwide in reaction to a plea by Italian football authorities.
Sandro Tonali was slammed with 10-month ban from football for breaching betting rules for professional footballers.
The extension and confirmation of the ban means Sandro Tonali will not be able to feature for Newcastle in their Premier game against Wolves on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
Recall Newcastle boss Eddie Howe talked tough after news of Tonali’s ban filtered in. Eddie Howe told a news conference on Friday morning that Tonali was still in contention to play as the club had not yet received confirmation of the ban.
Now, with FIFA lending their weight to the ban, Tonali has been summarily excluded from all football-related activities for the next 10 month.
Italian football authorities said the Italy midfielder had breached a rule that prohibits players placing bets on football events organised by FIGC, Uefa and Fifa, and he has also been fined 20,000 euros (£17,380).
It added that the federal prosecutor and Tonali had agreed to an 18-month disqualification, eight months of which will be commuted to “a therapeutic plan” to help “recovery from gambling addiction”.
Speaking before the ban was confirmed on Friday morning, Howe said: “We’ve heard the news, the statement, but we haven’t had anything from the Italian authorities at the moment.
“I think there’s a high chance again that he could be available for us. I still think there are a few things that have to happen before the ban is imposed, so let’s see.”
Reports have suggested Tonali will still be able to train with Newcastle despite the ban, but Howe said “we don’t know” if that is the case.
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July for £55m, becoming the Magpies’ second-most expensive signing.
