FIFA approve Sandro Tonali betting suspension as Newcastle star banned immediately

FIFA have confirmed that Sandro Tonali's 10-month ban from all football will begin immediately, dashing Newcastle boss Eddie Howe's hopes of having him available to face Wolves on Saturday

Newcastle star Sandro Tonali won't face Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday after FIFA confirmed that his 10-month ban from football for breaching gambling rules in Italy will begin immediately.

FIFA on Friday upheld the Italian Football Federation (FIGC)'s request for Tonali to be banned immediately, ruling him out of competitive action until August 2024. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had hoped that the 23-year-old would be available for the trip to Molineux but is now officially suspended after FIFA ratified the ban.

The FIGC confirmed the details of Tonali's sanction on Thursday. On top of 10 months out, which will see him miss Euro 2024 if Italy qualify, it was announced that the midfielder must go through a further eight months' rehabilitation period, including therapy.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Howe reiterated that his club will do their best to ensure that the former AC Milan playmaker, who Newcastle paid £55million to sign back in July before his gambling addiction emerged, is rehabilitated during the 10-month layoff.

"I am not going to say that he owes the club an apology to you," the Magpies boss told reporters. "That conversation is between the club and Sandro and myself and I don't think public statements are needed at this stage.

"I will have to see the whole time he will be unable to play and then work out a plan for him. It will be very very difficult for him. He will get a feeling of monotony where he is not playing and training is a difficult thing and I've seen it many times with players.

"We need to keep his mind fresh and his body able to execute what he needs to do big pitch stuff. It will be a challenge for us to make sure he comes out of the period, hopefully, a better player than the player who leaves us now.

"If he is banned for that time he is going to have difficult moments in that time frame. 10 months is a long time for a professional athlete not to do what he does. Especially on the scale of the pitch. In training you can get used to small-sided games."

Tonali's agent, Beppe Riso, recently stated at an event in London that the player had been suffering from a "gambling illness," adding: "Sandro is a bit shaken up by the situation. But he's already started to fight back. Sandro is a fighter."

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