Sandro Tonali &#8211; CaughtOffside

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Newcastle will certainly feel they could have perhaps done more to find out about issues in Tonali’s private life, but at the same time it is surely reasonable for Eddie Howe to feel he now needs to strengthen his midfield.

The Magpies will perhaps argue that Tonali could just as easily have picked up a serious injury that might also have kept him out, and in that situation there would be a bit more sympathy if they were to sign someone as cover.

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Newcastle United’s squad at full stretch for visit to AFC Bournemouth

Jake Staniland — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 19:53:29 +0000

Eddie Howe’s team delivered a disappointing performance, suffering a significant 2-0 defeat in Germany against Borussia Dortmund. The result and performance highlighted their ongoing injury crisis.

That being said, the match served as a stark reminder of how much Newcastle United must progress to become a well-rounded and competitive side in the Champions League, emphasising the need for greater squad depth.

Despite these challenges, there’s potential for them to become a formidable force in European football with additional skill and tactics.

Howe’s post-game comments underlined his commitment to improvement without without making excuses. However, with only 13 senior outfield players and Callum Wilson’s early departure due to a hamstring issue, the team is severely constrained in realising its potential in this crucial season for the Toon Army.

The squad’s lack of depth is glaring, and the forthcoming Premier League ruling on squad additions from clubs in Saudi Arabia could impact their plans for the January transfer window. Newcastle were reportedly preparing for the arrival of Ruben Neves on loan from Al-Hilal, but these plans could be scuppered.

Sven Botman, Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Matt Targett, Javier Manquillo, Elliot Anderson are all set to miss the Magpies trip to Bournemouth on Saturday evening. Along with Sandro Tonali (long-term suspension) and Bruno Guimaraes who has picked up a match ban due to picking up five yellow cards.

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Newcastle likely to be without nine players for PSG test

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 13:38:05 +0000

The size of the task awaiting Newcastle United in the Champions League has been put into perspective with the sheer size of their growing injury list.

With so much more pressure and at least six extra matches against top-tier European teams when compared to last season, it was obvious that any injuries and suspensions that may arise were going to hurt the Magpies.

Another loss to Borussia Dortmund has made their task even harder given that Eddie Howe’s side have got to win both of their remaining games to given themselves any chance of qualification to the knockout stages, and even then they will be relying on other results going their way.

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Nov 24 2023, 12:19

According to Premier Injuries, their current injury troubles – they have 11 players out – will only be slightly reduced by the time of the PSG match.

Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak are both expected to be back for the Chelsea game the previous weekend, however, the news isn’t so good for nine other players.

Sven Botman isn’t due back until December 10, with Elliot Anderson the next best case scenario of a Boxing Day return.

Harvey Barnes, Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy aren’t due back until various dates in January, whilst Sandro Tonali is banned until next August.

Callum Wilson, Javier Manquillo and Matt Targett don’t even have a return date as yet, so if the Magpies were to tumble out of Europe, the blame can’t be attached to Howe or his backroom staff, because that’s an unprecedented injury list at one of the most crucial times of the season.

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Newcastle star faces extended ban as FA launches further investigations over fresh claims

Mehdi Gokal — Sat, 04 Nov 2023 20:42:45 +0000

Newcastle have received more bad news regarding summer signing Sandro Tonali.

The Italian was banned for 10 months after being charged of breaching betting rules from his time at AC Milan.

But according to Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope, Sandro may have broken betting rules after his move from Milan to Newcastle as well. The Football Association are now heading further investigations into it.

? Exclusive: The Football Association are now investigating whether Sandro Tonali broke betting rules AFTER his £52m move to Newcastle in July

?? The player is currently banned for 10 months for illegal gambling activity in Italy

? More to follow @MailSport pic.twitter.com/ilTqTo2wjE

— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) November 3, 2023

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It is quite possible that this could result in a longer ban for Tonali which is going to be a major cause of concern for Newcastle.

The Magpies splashed the cash on him in the summer signing him for a fee of around £52m.

And the Italian international was enjoying a great start to his Newcastle career until being found guilty.

Meanwhile, Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth claimed that he did not know whether AC Milan were aware of the betting charges when they sold him.

Ashworth said (via BBC):

“It’s really difficult for me to get into what other clubs do or don’t know,”

“All we can do is look at our own internal investigation and internal process. It’s a really difficult question for me to answer – I just don’t know.

“It was a massive shock, a massive surprise. Dealing with it was new to all of us. It came from nowhere.”

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Eddie Howe provides positive update on Sandro Tonali following 10 month suspension

Andrew Walker — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 17:49:42 +0000

Sandro Tonali may not be able to play competitively, but the midfielder is eligible to train with his Newcastle United teammates.

Banned for 10 months after being found guilty of illegal betting activity while playing for AC Milan, Tonali, 23, will not return to Newcastle United’s matchday squad until at least the end of August 2024.

However, despite being out of action for the best part of a calendar year, the Italy international is still able to train with Newcastle’s first team.

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Speaking to the press ahead of the Toon’s Premier League game against Arsenal on Saturday, Howe, as quoted by Chronicle Live, said: “Well he [Tonali] is training. He has started that lonely process although he is with his team-mates. We have played so many games at the moment – a lot of sessions have been individual.

“But he has started that journey into the 10 months so it is a mental test for him. Sandro has to try to come through that and come through it a better player. It is definitely our objective as coaches is to try to help him. But it is going to be difficult for him.”

During his brief spell in the Magpies’ first-team following his £55 million (Sky Sports) move from AC Milan in the summer, Tonali, who has five years left on his deal, directly contributed to one goal from 12 appearances across all competitions.

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Exclusive: FIFA and UEFA must ban gambling advertising in order to help those with addictions

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 14:29:13 +0000

The banning of Sandro Tonali and previously, Ivan Toney, shows that addiction is still rife in football circles, with former professional, Stan Collymore, suggesting that the game’s governing bodies need to rid themselves of gambling advertisements and the like if players are going to conquer their addictions.

By the time that Tonali can play for Newcastle again, he will have been out of the game for 10 months. Almost a year of his career gone up in smoke.

‘Should things be safer for the players these days, absolutely yes. They are exposed constantly to gambling sites, television adverts etc,’ Collymore wrote in his exclusive CaughtOffside column.

‘I think that the Premier League are certainly wealthy enough to be putting aside a significant chunk of money to be able to ensure that every player knows that there are additional services available to them and support for them in the same way that they know that there are Alcohol and Drug programmes.’

The former Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool hit-man turned the focus onto FIFA and UEFA to suggest that there are simple actions they can undertake which would be a step in the right direction, albeit they may have to get their funding from elsewhere.

FIFA and UEFA now need to look at where they’re getting their money from, and I would say to TV companies that ‘if you want to be an official broadcaster of the Premier League or the FIFA World Cup or any of those tournaments, you cannot post gambling advertising on your channels,” Collymore added.

Of course, no one makes players bet, drink or take drugs, that’s on them, and even if they have a decent support network around them, it’s the players themselves that have to take the plunge to put things right.

‘You can lead the horse to water but you can’t make them drink,’ Collymore concluded.

‘With the stigma that’s still in the game for anyone struggling, it’s important that the Premier League are a lot more aggressive in making it known that there are organisations available to help with addiction.’

One can only hope that in the cases of Toney, Tonali and others, that they will all receive the aftercare that they need and that, moving forward, there’s a more holistic view taken by the leagues and authorities in terms of how to treat such addictions.

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Two senior staff members ‘under fire’ at Newcastle amid internal investigation

Andrew Walker — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 15:26:22 +0000

Newcastle United have reportedly launched an internal investigation into how Sandro Tonali’s gambling addiction was not picked up before the club signed him from AC Milan in the summer.

That’s according to a recent report from Football Insider, who claims the Magpies’ hierarchy are demanding answers to how the club’s recruitment department failed to identify Tonali’s problem with gambling.

The Italian midfielder, who was found guilty of illegal betting activity last week, is now serving a 10-month suspension, and although the northeast club have shown support for their struggling midfielder, there also seems to be a sense of frustration behind the scenes.

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It has been claimed that sporting director Dan Ashworth and head of recruitment Steve Nickson are now both ‘under fire’ for their part in the deal to bring Tonali to St. James’ Park, which cost the club £55 million, less than six months ago.

Tonali will not make a return to competitive football until next season but the Magpies are still required to pay his £140,000-per week wages.

A replacement midfielder is also set to be brought in once the January transfer window opens with Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips the heavy favourite to team up with Eddie Howe.

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Agent’s column: Rashford was wrong to party, Saudi World Cup was obvious, addicted footballers must be helped, 3pm blackout must remain and influencers are here to stay

Jon Smith — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 15:17:49 +0000

In his fortnightly exclusive column for CaughtOffside, Jon Smith, one of football’s first-ever agents and a man who was an integral figure in the forming of the Premier League, discusses his support of players with addiction, why Marcus Rashford was wrong to party after the Manchester derby, why a Saudi Arabian World Cup wasn’t a surprise – and more!

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It’s important that the Premier League retain the Saturday 3pm blackout

There’s so many devices out there which means that you can now watch live football at three o’clock anywhere in the world nowadays if you want to subscribe to them.

For example, I could watch live Premier League football out of Saudi Arabia or Qatar or wherever it might be, and that’s already beginning to have an effect not just on TV subscriptions but also on some of the lesser exciting fixtures, with respect, on a Saturday.

I know that the Premier League are doing a lot to counter this at the moment as are most broadcasters, because it’s important to protect the live crowd involvement at matches.

If there was the option to have 3pm Saturday games televised, those supporters from their mid-20s upwards, that have families or are just married, will record it, watch it later, go shopping with the missus to get a few brownie points…. There’ll potentially be a big number that won’t then go to a game, so yes, it’s vital the blackout remains otherwise, potentially, you’ll have half empty stadia.

I was at Watford the other day and they were playing Millwall whose contingent was so noisy that it really made for a better game.

Influencers like IShowSpeed are here to stay

Regardless of what we want, influencers are the way forward simply because of the enormous reach. ‘Fan TV’ audiences are massive and if you gross them up, you’re looking at over 120m/130m hits a month. That’s important.

It’s an important audience because it’s real football supporters who are taking time out to talk, shout, scream, laugh and joke all about the game, and obviously comment on it. Like everything else, there needs to be a balance.

Social media in its various guises is slowly maturing as opposed to being just a platform to shout abuse at each other or grab five minutes of fame.

There are some events like the Ballon d’Or which attract a multitude of potentially interested reporting parties and I include social and electronic in there.

I used to run FIFA’s The Best awards for two years when it was in London and the media requests would be astonishingly large. You have to manage it.

Some of the influencers are trashy but they have sizeable followings, and what you don’t want them to do is not promote your game.

In a goofed up world football is very often the repository of our emotions. We can shout at the screen, whereas you can’t shout at a group of people waving Palestinian flags – but that’s still on our screens, all the time.

I think there’s a need for responsible influencers, someone like Mark Goldbridge of The United Stand. He’s shouty but responsible and intelligent, and has huge audiences. You have to be respectful of that.

Rashford was completely wrong to party after Manchester derby defeat

The professionalism around footballers and football clubs is sizeably enhanced today from what it was back in the 80s and 90s when the audiences were just as big but not global, and the behaviour of some of the competitors was poor.

We used to argue with our players all the time and we had as many as 400 at our height.

We’d tell them that if they’d lost a match, particularly a big one, just stay home and don’t do anything. If you have to go out, go to the cinema because anything else is so offensive to the supporters who pay good money and have strong emotions around their team – particularly if that team has lost badly. Just don’t go out.

Why would Marcus Rashford go clubbing after losing the Manchester derby? It makes no sense.

As much as I have the highest regard for Rashford, and I’d like to say that on record because I do think he’s done some great social work and he’s a terrific football player, he made a big mistake that day.

Footballers with addictions should be treated with respect

I’m actually quite friendly with the Ivan Toney family and I listened to a lot of what they said. What the individuals have done is wrong, but I think the sentence doesn’t fit the crime.

It’s very difficult for the game to take money from betting companies on the one hand, and on the other say to the participants ‘if you do this, you’re a football criminal.’ It’s so wrong.

The players should be punished yes, but 10 months – in Sandro Tonali’s case – is far too long. These guys have got short careers anyway.

You’ve got to give these people help. If they’re addicted to something, be that gambling or any of the other substances that are around today, or any behavioural attitudes that includes sex and various other things that fill out social media screens, they need help.

There’s someone I saw wearing a t shirt the other day that said ‘It’s not wrong to ask for help,’ and I think that just sums it up.

I think if you ask for help, you should be treated with respect and not just as a criminal to be punished.

Saudi Arabia being offered the World Cup was obvious

I think it was obvious because they are supporting the game with a lot of money and they need to fuel the next generation of FIFA’s governance. Football needs financial input from nation states, as well as major corporations.

So I think that was an obvious one and I know James Johnson really well, he’s a very clever operator, a very bright guy and the Chief Exec of Football Australia.

I think Australia were putting themselves in there so that they could drop out and say: ‘Look, we’ll drop out, Saudi can have it, but we want this in exchange.’

Now, I don’t know what the ‘this’ is but it may become evident in the next few weeks. With various other tournaments being awarded, it’ll be interesting to see what goes to Australia.

There was no one else out there really bidding anyway, so it was Hobson’s choice.

Also, I’d like to think that the World Cup being more global has helped Qatar’s attitude towards behavioural science, and that includes respect for women and for other religions.

I’m not quite sure that’s the case now that the cameras aren’t pointed at them all the time, but it must’ve had some effect.

If it does the same in Saudi Arabia, then that’s perfect.

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Newcastle plotting bargain move to sort out problem position in January

Saikat Chatterjee — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 08:46:55 +0000

Newcastle United are hoping to bring in a quality replacement for Sandro Tonali during the January transfer window.

The 23-year-old Italian international has been banned from football for 10 months after breaching gambling regulations. A report from Football Insider claims that Newcastle do not have a substantial budget to bring in a replacement and they will look to explore the loan market in order to bring in signings.

Apparently, they are hoping to sign a midfielder on loan midway through the season. It will be interesting to see if they can bring in adequate replacements in the coming months.

Tonali has been a key player for Newcastle since joining the club and they will struggle in his absence. Newcastle are missing a specialist defensive midfielder apart from him and it remains to be seen whether Eddie Howe can sign a quality defensive midfielder during the January transfer window.

Sandro Tonali has been banned for his involvement in an illegal betting scandal.

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