EDDIE HOWE revealed Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali is “absolutely devastated” as he faces a lengthy ban for betting offences.
The Magpies boss had an “emotional” chat with the £60million midfielder and vowed to support the “gambling addict” through whatever punishment comes his way.
Eddie Howe confirmed Sandro Tonali is available for selection against Crystal PalacePA
GettyHowe said Tonali has trained well this week and is impressed by the midfielder’s conduct[/caption]
Tonali, 23, is being investigated by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and the Italian football federation in relation to illegal betting activity.
It is alleged the Azzurri midfielder placed bets on his former side AC Milan, whom he left for Tyneside during the summer.
Questions have been raised over whether Milan knew about this gambling storm before selling him to Newcastle.
Howe revealed the club will “do what it needs to do” as they consider legal action, though he insists, in terms of the due diligence the club carried out, it is “impossible to know everything about every person”.
Tonali is available for selection ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Crystal Palace, in what could be his last appearance for a long time with a ban – expected to be around one year – potentially handed down next week.
And Howe said: “I got a call from (sporting director) Dan Ashworth during the international break and it was a total surprise to me, to him, to everybody.
“I had a conversation with Sandro on the phone and it was very emotional. He is a young lad in a very difficult moment.
“I understand the perception of events but I see the person, the human. I see the pain and distress. That’s why my thoughts are always with the player. He loves the game and is absolutely devastated.
“But like anybody, you don’t know everything about every person. It’s impossible, but it’s our job now to help and support.
“We have to make a really tough situation the best we can, navigate our way out of it, support Sandro the best we can, and get back to playing football.”
Howe dodged a number of questions over Newcastle’s relationship with gambling companies, the view of the club’s Saudi owners, whether Tonali should have said something before signing a contract in July and if Newcastle would have pulled the plug if they knew he faced a ban less than four months after signing.
But on the potential for legal action against Milan, he added: “I’m sure the club will be doing what it needs to do, but I can’t comment because I’m not party to those conversations.
“There are always things put in front of you that make it more difficult and this is one of them.”
On whether Tonali wants to continue at Newcastle, Howe said: “That’s not even being discussed because that’s a ‘yes’ on both sides.
“We will support him and back him and we see him being part of our team for many years, and I know that’s the same back from his side to us.
“We are committed to him long term.”
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