Sandro Tonali is just two Premier League matches away from making his return for Newcastle United. The 24-year-old midfielder has been serving a ban from football since October 2023.
Despite this, he has continued training with Newcastle’s first team. His 10-month suspension is set to end in late August, making him eligible for Newcastle’s Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park on the weekend of August 31.
Tonali will miss Newcastle’s first two league matches of the 2024-25 season against Southampton on August 17 and AFC Bournemouth on August 24.
Additionally, he will be unavailable for the Carabao Cup second-round tie during the week starting August 26. There was some confusion regarding his eligibility for this match, but it has since been clarified.
Newcastle United issued a statement listing Tonali’s return date as August 27, 2024. This would have allowed him to participate in the Carabao Cup second-round matches scheduled for August 27 and August 28.
However, the Football Association (FA) released an official document stating his return date as August 29. This discrepancy means Tonali will miss any Carabao Cup action in the second round.
The document specifies the duration of Tonali’s ban as an 18-month suspension imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for betting offenses. Of this, 10 months are effective from October 27, 2023, to August 29, 2024.
The FA chose not to extend the ban beyond the August 29 date provided by the FIGC, despite Tonali being found guilty of further betting offenses after joining Newcastle. Newcastle United will comply with the ban until August 29 unless informed otherwise.
Tonali’s absence in the early part of the season presents a challenge for Newcastle United. The team will need to adjust their midfield strategy without their key player.
However, his return is eagerly anticipated, and his presence will be a significant boost for the team’s performance as they aim to compete strongly in the Premier League and domestic cup competitions.
Despite being banned from official matches, Tonali has maintained his fitness and sharpness by training with Newcastle’s first team.
This continuous involvement in training sessions will likely ease his reintegration into competitive matches once his ban is lifted. The club’s management and fans are optimistic about his impact upon his return.
Sandro Tonali’s return to Newcastle United is highly anticipated, with his eligibility set to commence from August 29, 2024. His absence in the initial matches of the season will be felt, but his return promises to strengthen Newcastle’s midfield. The resolution of the confusion regarding his ban’s end date allows the team to plan more effectively for the upcoming fixtures. As Tonali prepares to make his comeback, both the club and its supporters look forward to his contributions on the field.
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