Sandro Tonali: Newcastle midfielder's 10-month ban for betting ratified by FIFA

Sandro Tonali will miss Newcastle's league match at Wolves on Saturday; Aston VIlla's Nicolo Zaniolo, who is being investigated in same probe, met with public prosecutors on Friday but his lawyers are confident his case will soon be closed with their client contesting the allegations

Saturday 28 October 2023 07:28, UK

Sandro Tonali's 10-month ban from football for betting violations has been ratified by FIFA with immediate effect.

The Newcastle midfielder will not be available for Saturday's Premier League match at Wolves — live on Sky Sports.

Eddie Howe, the Newcastle boss, had expected to have Tonali available at Molineux on Friday morning, before FIFA approved the request of Italian authorities to uphold his punishment worldwide.

«We've not had anything from the Italian authorities so we are waiting for that official confirmation to come through,» said Howe. «There's a high chance he could be available for us. A few things need to happen before the ban is imposed, so let's see.»

Tonali has admitted to betting on matches in Italy as an AC Milan player. His co-operation in the investigation by Turin prosecutors helped the 23-year-old to avoid a potential three-year ban.

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The Italy international will not be allowed to play football again until late August next year, meaning he will miss Euro 2024 and the start of next season for Newcastle.

Tonali must also attend treatment sessions for problem gamblers and give a series of talks about his experience over a further eight-month period as part of his deal with Italian authorities.

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