Sandro Tonali’s season is ended as Fifa ratifies Italian FA’s 10-month ban for gambling

Sandro Tonali, the Newcastle United midfielder, will not play again until the end of August 2024 after his 10-month ban by the Italian football federation was ratified by world governing body Fifa.

Eddie Howe, his manager at Newcastle, had said on Friday morning that there was still a “high chance” the club’s £53 million summer signing from AC Milan would feature against Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend as they had still not received official confirmation of the ban.

But that changed late on Friday, with the news that Fifa had signed off on the punishment imposed after the player admitted multiple breaches of gambling rules during his time at Brescia and AC Milan.

Tonali is now expected to be given some time off by his club to process what has happened and how he is going to cope with the tough months ahead.

The 23-year-old, though, will be expected to return to training next week as Howe wants him to continue to integrate into life in England, particularly as he is still struggling to speak and understand a new language.

In the meantime, as revealed by Telegraph Sport on Thursday, Newcastle are expected to ask the Italy international to take a pay cut for the duration of his ban, with lawyers currently assessing what the club’s options are in this regard.

Tonali is understood to earn around £120,000-a-week on Tyneside and Newcastle will want to reduce that amount partly so they can sign a replacement on loan in January.

Newcastle have identified the Portugal international and former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves as a priority target alongside Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips.

Neves currently plays in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Hilal, who are majority owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which also has a controlling 80 per cent stake in Newcastle United.