From Italy: Tonali aware FA action ‘necessary and inevitable’ – Newcastle player ready to be ‘a new man’

In October, the Italy’s FIGC handed Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations.

The midfielder arrived at the Tyneside club from AC Milan last summer, and on Thursday, the Football Association [FA] confirmed that he has been charged for allegedly placing bets on football matches between August 12th and October 12th of last year.

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport now provides their reaction to the Newcastle man being charged by the English FA.

Gazzetta explain the Italy international made a self-declaration to the FA and therefore, is aware that their action was ‘necessary and inevitable’. He was expecting this to happen and therefore has already accepted the process.

The 23-year-old continues to receive professional help to deal with gambling addiction. Gazzetta say that help is coming from Professor Gabriele Sani, a specialist in the matter.

Tonali is now focusing on the recovery process in England, where he’s accompanied by his girlfriend, Giulia Pastore. The Italian’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, also visits him and his family regularly.

Gazzetta sound relatively upbeat about Tonali’s mental approach right now, saying: ‘He knows that the road is still long, but he is convinced that he has put the worst behind him and that when he starts playing again he will be a new man.’