Newcastle ready to take step to Champions League progress
Italian politician Andrea Abodi has proposed that Newcastle add four strange clauses to Sandro Tonali’s contract at St James’ Park. The midfielder is currently being investigated by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in relation to illegal betting activity.
Earlier this month, Tonali was forced to leave Italy’s training camp ahead of his country’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and England after being told about the investigation. The player is now cooperating with the enquiry while he waits to hear the outcome and is set to be banned from playing football for 10 months.
Italy’s minister for sport and youth Andrea Abodi has weighed in on the situation, saying: “I would like it if together with the contract the footballer would commit to signing a charter of values with four clear things: no doping, no betting, no taking money off the books and no watching matches on illegal platforms.”
Tonali is not being investigated for anything else other than illegal betting. Aston Villa star Nicolo Zaniolo was also sent home from the training camp, with the Villans later admitting the player was “assisting the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the relevant authorities’ investigation”. He denies any involvement in illegal betting activity.
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And Abodi added: “At the moment it seems that these guys have not bet against their teams. This does not absolve them but allows us to frame the evaluations that the prosecutor is making, arriving at a plea bargain in which part of the sentence can be commuted to socially useful services. A final judgement can be made when we have a clearer picture. I have a duty to be cautious.”
According to Sky Italia, FIGC will make their decision about a ban this week. Tonali’s lawyers are currently trying to trim the ban to allow their client to return to the pitch in time for the start of next season. But that punishment would mean the 23-year-old misses next summer’s Euro 2024 should Italy qualify for the tournament.
After Tonali was sent home from the Italy training camp, Newcastle released a statement that read: “Sandro is fully engaging with the investigation and will continue to cooperate with all relevant authorities. He and his family will continue to receive the club’s full support. Due to this ongoing process, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to offer further comment at this time.”
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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe included Tonali on the bench for the Magpies’ Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at St James’ Park on Saturday as the hosts ran out 4-0 winners.
The player was introduced to the action with 21 minutes remaining as goals from Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon, Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson killed the contest. And Tonali could yet feature when his side host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
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