03 November 2023 , 15:41
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Sandro Tonali could face further punishment after the Football Association opened their own investigation into his betting scandal.
Tonali, 23, received a 10-month ban from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in October after breaching their betting rules. The Italy international, who has admitted to having a gambling problem, will miss the rest of the Premier League season and Euro 2024.
Tonali will also need to complete eight months of rehab and make several public appearances in Italy. Yet he could find himself in more trouble, with the FA launching their own investigation into his £55million summer transfer from AC Milan to Newcastle.
The midfielder left the Italian giants to play for Eddie Howe's side. The FA want to distinguish whether Tonali was still gambling after the transfer was completed, as it would come under their jurisdiction. He could be hit with another ban if that's the case.
Newcastle signed Tonali in July but was only found guilty of breaching gambling rules in October. As reported by the Daily Mail, the FA want to make sure he wasn't betting on games - including those involving Newcastle - during the opening weeks of this season.
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Newcastle's director of football Dan Ashworth has admitted the club are looking into Tonali's transfer, describing the news of his ban as a "massive shock" and insisting it "came from nowhere". The Magpies are also "cooperating fully" with the FA's investigation.
"As a football club and Sandro, we have fully cooperated with all of the associations, organisations and related parties," said Ashworth. "All I can deal with is the present and the facts. I can't look into the future. The FA are, of course, fully aware of what's going on."
Tonali won't play again until next August (Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)What's your opinion on the Sandro Tonali saga? Let us know in the comments below!
Newcastle are refusing to rule out legal action at this stage, such is the impact of Tonali's ban. It has left them short in midfield, with the January transfer window still two months away. Signing a player on loan from the Saudi Pro League is a big possibility.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, own a controlling share in Newcastle and four of the biggest clubs in Saudi Arabia: Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. All four clubs signed midfielders from Europe during the summer.
Ruben Neves is believed to Newcastle's No.1 target. The 26-year-old has plenty of experience in English football following his six-year spell with Wolves. According to The Telegraph, Neves is unsettled at Al-Hilal and could swap Saudi Arabia for St James' Park.
Newcastle are sticking by Tonali, with Ashworth describing the player as "outstanding" and "fully collaborative". The Magpies chief added: "He feels that he’s let himself down and any player who is missing for a prolonged period of time feels bad about it."