Sandro Tonali has participated in a dozen matches for Newcastle United so far
Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle United, is optimistic that Sandro Tonali could see action in Saturday’s clash with Wolves, notwithstanding a looming 10-month ban from the sport.
Howe confessed the club finds itself in a state of uncertainty, pending the ban’s official sanctioning.
Tonali, at the age of 23, faces disciplinary action from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for violating gambling regulations, a decision that came to light this Thursday.
“We’ve been informed, we’ve seen the official statement, but as of now, we’ve received no formal notice from the Italian governing bodies,” remarked Howe on Friday.
“As it stands, there’s a significant likelihood that he could be part of the lineup. However, a few things still need to fall into place before the ban is effectively enforced,” Howe added.
The ban awaits final approval from football’s administrative bodies, Uefa and Fifa.
In the FIGC’s announcement, they clarified that Tonali broke a regulation that forbids players from wagering on football events governed by FIGC, Uefa, and Fifa. In addition to his suspension, Tonali has been slapped with a 20,000-euro fine (approximately £17,380).
The announcement further elaborated that both the federal prosecutor and Tonali have consented to an 18-month suspension, eight months of which would be substituted with “a therapeutic plan” aimed at aiding his “recovery from gambling addiction.”
Although reports suggest Tonali may continue practicing with Newcastle during his suspension, Howe admitted, “We’re in the dark on that front.”
Discussing Tonali’s current state of mind, Howe observed: “He looked sharp when he got minutes against Dortmund. Since the incident came to light, his training sessions have been on point. Emotionally, he seems to be holding steady, although it’s undeniably a challenging period for him.”
Tonali was acquired from AC Milan this July for a staggering £55 million, becoming Newcastle’s second priciest acquisition to date.
“In this game, and in life, unpredictability is the only constant. This is a teachable moment for all of us,” Howe mused. “We need a squad versatile enough to handle such curveballs.”
In the wake of the FIGC’s decision to ban Tonali, speculation is rife that Newcastle could be eyeing Ruben Neves, a former Wolves midfielder who recently transferred to Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal.
Newcastle, presently sitting at sixth place in the Premier League table, will go head-to-head with Wolves this Saturday. They are also slated to meet Manchester United in the Carabao Cup’s fourth round come next Wednesday.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sandro Tonali ban
What is the main subject of the article?
The main subject of the article is the optimistic stance of Newcastle United’s manager Eddie Howe regarding Sandro Tonali’s availability for an upcoming match against Wolves, despite Tonali facing a 10-month ban for breaking gambling rules.
Who has imposed the 10-month ban on Sandro Tonali?
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has imposed a 10-month ban on Sandro Tonali for violating gambling regulations.
Is the ban on Sandro Tonali finalized?
No, the ban is not yet finalized. It is still pending approval from Uefa and Fifa.
Can Sandro Tonali continue to train with Newcastle United despite the ban?
The article states that it’s unclear whether Tonali can continue to train with Newcastle United during his suspension period.
How much was Sandro Tonali fined in addition to the ban?
Sandro Tonali was fined 20,000 euros, which is approximately £17,380, in addition to the ban.
What is Newcastle United’s current standing in the Premier League?
As of the article’s publication, Newcastle United is in sixth place in the Premier League.
Who is speculated to be Newcastle United’s potential new target?
After the announcement of Tonali’s ban, there has been speculation that Newcastle might be interested in former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, who now plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
What are the future matches that Newcastle United is scheduled to play?
Newcastle United will play against Wolves on Saturday, and they will also face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup’s fourth round the following Wednesday.
What is the manager Eddie Howe’s perspective on dealing with such unexpected events?
Eddie Howe emphasized the need for a versatile squad that can handle unpredictable situations. He considers the incident a “teachable moment” for everyone involved in football.
Is Sandro Tonali taking any steps towards recovery from gambling addiction?
Yes, eight months of Sandro Tonali’s 18-month disqualification will be commuted to a “therapeutic plan” to assist his recovery from gambling addiction, as agreed upon by the federal prosecutor and Tonali.
More about Sandro Tonali ban
- Newcastle United Official Website
- Latest Premier League Standings
- Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Official Statement
- UEFA Official Website
- FIFA Official Website
- Carabao Cup Schedule
- Ruben Neves Transfer News
- Sandro Tonali’s Career Stats
- Previous Newcastle vs Wolves Matches
- Manchester United Upcoming Matches
9 comments
Whoa, didn’t see that coming. Tonali’s really in hot water, huh? But if Eddie’s optimistic, then so am I. Fingers crossed!
Read about the therapeutic plan for Tonali. Seems like a modern approach, using psychology to tackle the issue. Kudos!
Newcastle in 6th? Not bad, not bad at all. But lets see how they do without Tonali, if the ban gets approved.
Newcastle better have a Plan B, and maybe even a Plan C. In football, anything can happen, as they are learning the hard way.
ruben neves as a backup? not a bad idea but how we gonna afford him? already blew the bank on Tonali.
Tonali and a gambling issue? Man, thats like a plot twist in a movie. Hope the dude sorts it out.
Facing Wolves and then us (Man Utd) while dealing with a ban? Good luck Newcastle, you’ll need it lol.
Eddie Howe always has a way with words. “Teachable moment” he says. Well, school’s definitely in session for Newcastle.
55 mil for a guy who now might be benched for 10 months! Talk bout bad investment.