Sandro Tonali will have £11million of his pay “suspended” as he serves a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules in Italy, it is claimed.
Lawyers for the Newcastle midfielder have agreed his punishment for a secret betting habit on football games when he played for Milan and Brescia. Tonali WILL be able to train with Newcastle during the suspension, which will end in August just after the start of the Premier League season in 2024.
The Turin prosecutor’s office is set to announce the punishments agreed upon with Tonali this Thursday, after a week-long plea bargain in which Tonali admitted offences and having a gambling problem.
Tonali faced a FOUR-YEAR suspension, which was reduced because of his testimony and his agreement to have therapy, and attend meetings with local associations and youth teams in Italy.
The ban was halved because Tonali co-operated, dropped to 18 months because he gave evidence, and the ban from playing set at ten months plus a further eight months of “alternative” sentences.
Tonali played his last game of the season on Wednesday night coming off the bench for Newcastle as they lost 1-0 to Dortmund. Eddie Howe has pledged his full support and says the player will remain at Newcastle long-term.
Newcastle paid Milan £55m for Tonali in July, and the club have yet to comment on whether they will take any legal action, or still pay transfer instalments, after buying a player with historical problems.
Reports in Italy say his “salary will be suspended” potentially giving Newcastle financial room to sign a replacement in January. Manchester City’s England midfielder Kalvin Phillips has been linked.
Tonali was given an ovation by Newcastle fans at the weekend as he came off the bench against Crystal Palace. But his absence leaves a huge hole in an already stretched squad.
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The club’s other big summer signing Harvey Barnes is out injured until January meaning £90m of fresh investment is not playing. Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall were also signed for an eventual outlay of £50m, but remain back-up full-backs. Howe also has Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy and Elliott Anderson out. But Joe Willock is fit again.
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