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Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth admits the investigation into Sandro Tonali has been \u201ca whirlwind\u201d and a \u201cmassive shock\u201d following the midfielder\u2019s ban from football.<\/p>\n
Just before the Magpies\u2019 trip to Wolves last Saturday, the Italian was handed a 10-month ban by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) \u2013 which was subsequently ratified by FIFA after he agreed a plea bargain as part of an investigation into illegal betting activity.<\/p>\n
Tonali found himself at the centre of the investigation during last month\u2019s international break and Ashworth revealed how quickly it unfolded.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a massive shock, a massive surprise. Dealing with it was new to all of us. It came from nowhere,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe first became aware of it when was there a potential allegation on social media. I spoke with his representatives and it just happened really quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur first thought was to protect our player, he is part of our family, and to give him the help and support he needed. We wanted to understand exactly what had happened and work transparently with the authorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cSandro wanted to do that from the off as well. It was a bit of a whirlwind really. We got to where we were on Friday (before the Wolves game) where the ban had been signed off and agreed with the Italian federation, FIFA and our own Football Association.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ban means that Tonali, who arrived on Tyneside from AC Milan for \u00a355million in the summer, will not be eligible to return to competitive action until August 27, 2024 and Ashworth knows he will be a big miss to the squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike any player we will miss him of course, he is a top player and a big signing. To contextualise it, it could have been an ACL,\u201d Ashworth said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese things happen in football, but obviously when it happens in this context it\u2019s not something you expect. For me, from the minute it happened, you look at yourself.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat could we have done better? What could I have done better? What are the lessons learned from this? Could we have known? Should we have known? You look at your processes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been doing this for 16 years and nothing like this has happened before. We pride ourselves on due diligence and getting the right characters.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have all seen the culture and cohesion in the group is extremely strong, and that\u2019s not by chance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spend an immense amount of time looking at the character as well as the athlete. We have and will continue to review what we have done in the past and will do going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to his ban, Tonali was fined 20,000 euros and will undergo eight months of therapy as well as carrying out a series of public appearances and manager Eddie Howe confirmed that the 23-year-old is in training.<\/p>\n
In his Friday press conference, Howe said: \u201c(Tonali) is training with us and he\u2019s started that lonely \u2013 I say lonely, he\u2019s around his team-mates \u2013 but we\u2019re playing so many games at the moment that a lot of his sessions will be individual or small numbers.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s started that journey into the 10 months so it\u2019s going to be a real mental test for him to try and come through that period and become a better player, which is definitely our objective as coaches to try and help him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be difficult for him for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ashworth echoed Howe\u2019s sentiments, adding: \u201cOur first port of call is to look after and support him. It\u2019s probably more difficult for him than anyone else.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a programme to support him and thankfully he\u2019s able to train with the team, which is great for his mental well-being.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re putting together a programme of what he can and can\u2019t do over the coming months to get him back flying in August.\u201d<\/p>\n