- Sandro Tonali is one of the top-earners at Newcastle having arrived this summer
- Tonali’s 10-month suspension will not prevent him from training with Newcastle
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Newcastle are exploring avenues to reduce Sandro Tonali’s wages at the club, according to reports.
The Italian midfielder arrived at St James’ Park this summer in a £52million move from AC Milan, however he was handed a 10-month ban from football earlier this week for illegal betting.
After his lawyers negotiated with prosecutors and the FIGC (Italian FA), a plea bargain was reached, with the Italian sitting out the rest of this season’s action for the Magpies.
Unlike Brentford‘s Ivan Toney, Tonali is expected to be allowed to take part in training and behind closed doors games at Newcastle, but will be ruled out of contention for the Euros, should Italy qualify.
While sources close to the club are playing down the possibility of Newcastle suing Milan for not disclosing his gambling habits, The Telegraph are reporting that talks have taken place with Tonali’s lawyers over a potential wage slash.
Newcastle are reportedly exploring avenues to reduce Sandro Tonali’s wages at St James’ Park
Tonali was handed a 10-month ban by the Italian FA for illegal betting breaches while at AC Milan
Internal conversations are thought to have considered whether the former Brescia midfielder should remain one of the top earners while unable to play in matches for the Magpies.
There is still a possibility – albeit a remote one – that Tonali could be available this weekend, given that FIFA are yet to implement the ban worldwide, with the ban handed out by the FIGC.
As Howe has frequently attested to throughout the process, the player’s welfare and mental wellbeing are being supported and prioritised at Newcastle, as he battles against addiction.
The club are thought to be facing a complex task in deciding how to respond to the ban, with prominent sports law specialist Stephen Taylor-Heath claiming Newcastle might start by scrutinising the agreement with Milan made over the summer.
‘There is currently no public knowledge on the agreement in this particular case, but a transfer normally contains a basic structure which includes warranties from the selling club,’ he explained.
‘These warranties could include representations that the selling team is not aware that the player is subject to any investigations of a criminal or disciplinary nature at the time of a transaction.
‘If Newcastle United did believe they had a case and were to take any form of action, the transfer agreement may provide a jurisdiction and forum for the dispute to be determined.’
The player was able to feature for Howe’s side in their 1-0 defeat at home to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night, which looks likely to be his final involvement for the season.
Eddie Howe’s side have frequently reiterated that the player’s welfare is of top priority
