26 October 2023 , 13:22
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Newcastle are reeling from the news that midfielder Sandro Tonali will be unavailable for 10 months after breaking betting rules.
The Magpies spent £54million to sign Tonali, 23, from AC Milan during the summer but will now try to find a replacement in January, with Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips on their shortlist. The Italian's agent has confirmed his client has a gambling problem.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has confirmed that Tonali will also need to complete eight months of rehab and make several public appearances. It's believed his £11million annual salary will be suspended, but he will be allowed to train and play in friendlies.
Tonali was initially facing a multi-year ban, but FICG president Gabriele Gravina agreed to reduce his punishment after he collaborated "above and beyond expectations" with the investigation. The player's legal team travelled to Rome to negotiate a plea bargain.
"The FIGC Prosecutor and Tonali have reached an agreement which I have already approved," Gravina told reporters in Italy on Thursday. "The agreement consists of a 10-month ban plus eight months of rehab activities and at least 16 public appearances."
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Gravina continued: "Rules provide a ban for a few years, but there can be a plea agreement and attenuating circumstances. The guys collaborated above and beyond expectations, so we will continue to follow the rules we had adopted."
Tonali featured in Newcastle's 1-0 defeat to Champions League rivals Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday but will miss countless games for club in country. Assuming the ban started on October 26, here is a full list of fixtures Tonali will miss...
Tonali will miss the rest of Newcastle's campaign (Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)Do you think Sandro Tonali's ban is fair? Let us know in the comments below!
Premier League
- Wolves (A), October 28
- Arsenal (H), November 4
- Bournemouth (A), November 11
- Chelsea (H), November 25
- Manchester United (H), December 2
- Everton (A), December 7
- Tottenham (A), December 10
- Fulham (H), December 16
- Luton (A), December 23
- Nottingham Forest (H), December 26
- Liverpool (A), January 1
- Manchester City (H), January 13
- Aston Villa (A), January 30
- Luton (H), February 3
- Nottingham Forest (A), February 10
- Bournemouth (H), February 17
- Arsenal (A), February 24
- Wolves (H), March 2
- Chelsea (A), March 9
- Crystal Palace (A), March 16
- West Ham (H), March 30
- Everton (H), April 3
- Fulham (A), April 6
- Tottenham (H), April 13
- Manchester United (A), April 20
- Sheffield United (H), April 27
- Burnley (A), May 4
- Brighton (H), May 11
- Brentford (A), May 19
- The first two or three games of the 2024/25 Premier League season
Champions League
- Borussia Dortmund (A), November 7
- Paris Saint-Germain (A), November 28
- AC Milan (H), December 13
- Round of 16 first leg, February 13/14/20/21
- Round of 16 second leg, March 5/16/12/13
- Quarter-final first leg, April 9/10
- Quarter-final second leg, April 16/17
- Semi-final first leg, April 30/May 1
- Semi-final second leg, May 7/8
- Final, June 1
Tonali's Euro 2024 dream is over (Getty Images)Carabao Cup
- Manchester United (A), Fourth Round, November 1
- Quarter-final, December 19/20
- Semi-final first leg, January 9/10
- Semi-final second leg, January 23/24
- Final, February 25
FA Cup
- Third Round, January 6
- Fourth Round, January 27
- Fifth Round, February 28
- Quarter-final, March 16
- Semi-final, April 20
- Final, May 25
Italy
- North Macedonia (H), November 17
- Ukraine (A), November 20
- Euro 2024, June 14 until July 24 (up to seven games, Italy still to qualify)
Dates correct as of October 26, subject to change.
Newcastle will enter the Europa League if they finish third in their Champions League group.