Fifa has extended Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban from football.
The ban was imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for breaching betting rules.
Midfielder Tonali, 23, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan in a deal worth €70 million ($76.28m) with add-ons this year, must also attend treatment sessions for problem gamblers. He must also give a series of talks about his experience over a further eight-month period as part of a deal with the FIGC.
Manager Howe expressed the club’s unawareness of Tonali’s potential breaches upon signing him, stating, “We really liked him as a footballer and had no idea that this was even a possibility.”
Howe acknowledged the frustration of losing a quality player temporarily, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of life and football.
Despite the setback, Howe noted Tonali’s resilience, mentioning, “From the moment this happened, his training performances have been very good.”
Tonali is the highest-profile player caught up in a betting scandal that is shaking Italian football.
Tonali could have faced up to three years sidelined as per FIFA and FIGC regulations. His cooperation meant that with the authorities leading the investigation — the FIGC and the Italian prosecutor’s office — led to a reduction in the length of his ban.
The 10 months ban will still see Tonali ruled out for the rest of the season. He will also miss next year’s Euro 2024 tournament.