12 times Sandro Tonali stepped on the pitch for Newcastle United, and now it looks like that’s where the counter is going to freeze for a while.
Kick-starting his 10-month vacation from the beautiful game is Newcastle United’s midfielder Sandro Tonali. Why, you ask? FIFA just hit the global “pause” button on his career, extending an earlier ban imposed by Italy’s Football Federation (FIGC).
Here’s the deal: the 23-year-old wunderkind got in hot water with FIGC last Thursday for breaking the oh-so-sacred betting laws. This means he’ll be binge-watching his own team play Wolves this Saturday instead of being part of the action.
Now, Newcastle’s head honcho, Eddie Howe, was pretty optimistic about Tonali suiting up for the weekend. Just Friday morning, Howe was basically saying, “Hold your horses; nothing’s final yet.” But by Friday evening, FIFA swooped in like a plot twist in a telenovela, announcing that they’d given the thumbs-up to FIGC’s request to make the ban a worldwide affair.
What exactly did Tonali do to deserve this? According to FIGC, the guy placed bets on football events they organize along with UEFA and FIFA. For this, he not only gets a seat on the bench for 10 months but also a €20,000 (£17,380) dent in his wallet.
It’s not all doom and gloom though; Tonali and the prosecutors cut a deal. The player’s 18-month original sentence gets trimmed by eight months, provided he participates in a “recovery from gambling addiction” program. I guess you could call it rehab for the betting bug.
Talking about the whole kerfuffle before it became official, Eddie Howe had this to say: “We’re still in a ‘wait and see’ mode. It’s not a done deal yet. We were kinda thinking he might still get to play.”
There’s also a question mark hanging over whether Tonali can still train with the team. The official word from the club? A very insightful “we don’t know.”
Tonali, who was Newcastle’s second priciest recruit at £55 million when he moved from AC Milan in July, was apparently a mystery bag. Newcastle claims they were in the dark about his gambling tendencies. “We had no clue this could happen when we signed him,” says Howe, “but hey, life throws curveballs. You need a squad ready to dodge ’em.”
So, how’s Tonali holding up? According to Howe, the guy’s still in high spirits. “He’s been solid in practice. Of course, it’s in the back of his mind, but he’s hanging in there.”
And since nature abhors a vacuum, rumors are swirling that Newcastle is eyeballing former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, who’s currently kicking it in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal, as a possible replacement.
So, as Newcastle, currently sixth in the Premier League, preps to face Wolves this Saturday and Manchester United next Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, it seems they’ll be doing so with one less star in their constellation.
In a world that never stops spinning, who knows what’s next? But one thing’s for sure: Tonali’s got plenty of time to ponder his choices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sandro Tonali’s 10-Month Ban
What led to Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban in football?
Sandro Tonali received a 10-month ban from football due to breaching betting rules. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) initially imposed the ban, which was later extended worldwide by FIFA.
Who is Sandro Tonali and which team does he play for?
Sandro Tonali is a 23-year-old midfielder who plays for Newcastle United. He has made 12 appearances for the team and was their second-most expensive signing, costing £55 million when he joined from AC Milan.
Was Newcastle United aware of Tonali’s betting activities?
According to Newcastle’s manager Eddie Howe, the club had no prior knowledge of Tonali’s betting activities when they signed him. Howe stated that they made the decision to sign him based on the information they had at the time.
Will Tonali be able to train with Newcastle United during his ban?
It’s still uncertain whether Tonali will be able to train with Newcastle United during his ban period. Eddie Howe said that they “don’t know” if this will be the case.
What are the financial implications for Sandro Tonali due to this ban?
In addition to the 10-month ban, Tonali has been fined €20,000 (£17,380) for breaching betting rules.
What is the “therapeutic plan” mentioned in the text?
The “therapeutic plan” refers to a recovery program for gambling addiction. Tonali agreed to an 18-month disqualification, eight months of which will be commuted if he successfully completes this therapeutic plan.
Is Newcastle United considering a replacement for Tonali?
Yes, reports suggest that Newcastle United is considering Ruben Neves, a former Wolves midfielder who currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, as a possible replacement for Tonali.
What is Newcastle United’s current standing in the Premier League?
As of the information in the text, Newcastle United is sixth in the Premier League. They are scheduled to play against Wolves on Saturday and Manchester United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
What did Eddie Howe say about the situation?
Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle United, said the club was initially optimistic that Tonali could still play as they had not received official confirmation of the ban. He also added that the team needs to be robust enough to deal with unexpected situations like this.
More about Sandro Tonali’s 10-Month Ban
- FIFA Official Statement on Sandro Tonali’s Ban
- Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Announcement
- Newcastle United’s Latest News
- Premier League Official Website
- Eddie Howe’s Press Conference Video
- Background on Sports Betting Rules
- Ruben Neves Transfer Rumors
- Sandro Tonali’s Career Highlights
- Newcastle United’s Upcoming Fixtures
- Carabao Cup Fourth Round Details
10 comments
Ugh, sixth in the league and now this. Talk about bad timing. But hey, that’s football for ya. Always keeps you on your toes.
Ruben Neves as a replacement, huh? Now that’s what i call an upgrade. No offense to Tonali, but Neves is on another level.
wait a minute, didn’t Newcastle just pay 55 mil for Tonali? That’s a lotta money down the drain if you ask me.
Poor Tonali, 23 and sidelined. Hopefully, that therapeutic plan helps him out. Addiction ain’t a joke.
As if 2020 and 2021 weren’t weird enough, now we got stars getting benched for betting. What’s next? Aliens landing at halftime?
Whoa, 10 months for betting? thats harsh man, but rules are rules I guess. Tonali’s gonna miss out on a lot, feel bad for the guy.
Anyone else curious about this therapeutic plan? What does it even involve? Like is it AA but for betting?
Newcastle’s curse or what? lol Just when they start picking up steam, this happens. Classic Newcastle drama, isn’t it?
Eddie Howe seems cool as a cucumber. Wonder what his real thoughts are on losing such a pricey asset. Tonali’s ban is an unexpected handicap for sure.
Seriously FIFA? Extending the ban worldwide is just overkill. But again, shouldn’t have bet in the first place.