Sandro Tonali set to face 10 months ban for breaching betting rules

Newcastle United are set to find a replacement for former AC Milan midfielder

Sandro Tonali, a midfielder for Newcastle United, has admitted to betting on games he participated in while at Milan, and he now faces a 10-month suspension.

Sandro Tonali has acknowledged betting on games he participated in, and he is currently negotiating a 10-month suspension with Italian prosecutors.

The Italian international is attempting to reduce the length of the three-year suspension by cooperating with government officials, according to Sky Italy.

Following the Magpies' 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace the previous Saturday, Tonali went on a lap of honour, which suggests that he understands that the other shoe is ready to drop.

Tonali is expected to miss the balance of the Premier League season and, assuming Italy compete for Euro 2024, the tournament, even if the plea agreement is approved and he is given a 10-month suspension.

Italian players Nicolo Zaniolo of Aston Villa and Nicolo Fagioli of Juventus face additional suspensions after being connected to the current gambling scam, so Tonali may not be the only one facing penalties. The latter has been prohibited for seven months already.

On Wednesday, Newcastle are scheduled to play Borussia Dortmund. Tonali may or may not participate, but if he does, it will probably be his last game for a while.

A 10-month term will be an important decrease from Tonali's original three-year sentence. After the 23-year-old acknowledged betting on AC Milan matches while he continued to be a member of the club.

Though he apparently stated he did not gamble in games in which he played, his repercussions were anticipated to be harsher compared to that of Fagioli.