Newcastle United will talk with Sandro Tonali about his wages and a potential reduction of them during his 10-month suspension for gambling.
That’s according to La Repubblica, relayed by Tuttomercatoweb, who cover all the details of the case today, including what Tonali told prosecutors and how much he bet.
They explain that Tonali told the FIGC “I found it hard to stop betting” and then added, in another passage “I also bet on my teams”, although it is unclear whether that includes Newcastle.
Unlike Italy teammate Nicolo Fagioli, Tonali ‘has not contracted debts’ but he did bet €200,000-300,000 on games, which they label an ‘enormity’.
Indeed, that corresponds to around 10% of his €2.5m salary at AC Milan, which has now increased to €8m a year at Newcastle.
In regard to that salary at St James Park, TMW say he could ‘give up a percentage of the emoluments’ for the ten months that he is suspended.
Newcastle can, in theory at least, suspend payments unilaterally but so far have shown now intend to do that and instead there is a meeting planned between the player and the club to discuss what happens next.
Tonali is set to continuing training with the team for the duration of his ban, except when he has to attend ‘educational meetings’ in Italy as part of his punishment.
His suspension is set to be finalised today and will come into force tomorrow. However, for it to be valid in England it has to be extended by FIFA and UEFA, a procedure that can take months.
The FIGC have planned for this and will extend the ban accordingly and Tonali will still be available for Newcastle as a result, although whether they decide to play him is up to Eddie Howe and his team.
