Sandro Tonali will miss the next ten months as Italian authorities prepare to validate his ban for engaging in unlawful gambling.
The Italian completed his move from AC Milan to Newcastle for a fee worth £52 million during the summer transfer window.
Less than four months after his transfer from AC Milan to the Premier League team, the startling news was revealed.
The midfielder is set to accept a 10-month ban from football which will be issued to him for illegal betting.
Tonali's ban
Tonali will miss the rest of the season due to a 10-month suspension for engaging in illicit football betting, as reported by Mail Sport.
Although Tonali will be available to Eddie Howe, the ban is unlikely to be officially imposed before their Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund at St. James' Park.
The 23-year-old Italian midfielder's agency has asserted that the player is a gambling addict, and the player has acknowledged placing bets on his own teams to win games.
Eight months of therapy and involvement in anti-gambling activities are part of Tonali's suspension.
Italian football was rocked when Nicolo Zaniolo of Aston Villa, Nicolo Fagioli of Juventus, and Tonali of Newcastle United were all listed as suspects in a Turin prosecutors' probe.
The Juventus midfielder Fagioli was also given a seven-month suspension last week, although he will still be able to practise with the first team and get his full salary from the club.
Zaniolo is also helping with the inquiry, according to Aston Villa, and the two recently met with senior club officials.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are considering suing Milan, according to Corriere Dello Sport, for selling them a player who will now be absent for the duration of the season.
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