Sandro Tonali’s betting ban ends tomorrow, and the Italian midfielder won’t only be part of the Newcastle squad for Nottingham Forest as Gazzetta claims he will be included in the Azzurri team for games against France and Israel in September.
Tonali is set to return from a 10-month ban for illegal betting, and the Italian midfielder will be available for Newcastle in an EFL Cup second-round clash against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
“He will definitely be in the squad; he is fit, he just hasn’t had the game time,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said on Tuesday.
“He has done everything else. He has worked incredibly hard to be on top of his fitness. I imagine a range of emotions, a lot of excitement, when you have a long time out, you have a long time to analyse and reflect. Now it is just back to doing what he loves. It will be an incredible release for him. I want Sandro to come back and enjoy his football.”
Tonali set for first Italy and Newcastle appearances after betting ban ends
The former Milan midfielder received a 10-month suspension for illegal betting, plus a €20,000 fine in October 2023.
He treated his gambling addiction during his time on the sidelines and made at least 16 public appearances as part of a plea bargain agreement with FIGC, the Italian Football Federation.
His ban ends tomorrow, August 28, 2024, so the game against Forest could see him make his first competitive appearance for his club since October 25, 2023.
Tonali is also expected to return to Coverciano quickly. In fact, Wednesday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, on page 17, claims that Luciano Spalletti will include him in the Azzurri squad for Nations League games against France and Israel in September.
According to the report, Spalletti will also call Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci and Burnley winger Luca Koleosho.
How do you include a player in the national setup when he hasn’t kicked a ball in anger for 10 months? What happened to meritocracy? We’re now handing out caps like confetti.
Yes he did right to call him even if he doesn’t play it’s a sign of support for him mentally as Italy will need him their mid field is crap