Newcastle and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali says he took consolation serving to different drawback gamblers sort out their points throughout his 10-month ban for breaching betting guidelines.
Tonali, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July 2023 for £55m, was banned by the Italian Soccer Federation last October for breaking guidelines whereas taking part in in Serie A.
The ban utilized globally after being endorsed by world governing physique Fifa.
Having served his punishment, the 24-year-old might return to motion on Wednesday, when the Magpies journey to Nottingham Forest within the second spherical of the Carabao Cup.
Chatting with the membership’s tv channel, Tonali stated: “Particularly within the first three months, I met lots of people with unusual jobs, particularly in Newcastle, who had this drawback and who had by no means spoken prior to now.
“They did so when all of it got here out, when the articles got here out and my drawback was made public, so after this they determined to get assist and cease bottling issues up, so this made me very completely satisfied.”
In addition to his suspension, Tonali was ordered to finish an schooling programme and made 16 journeys again to Italy to speak to the sport’s subsequent era in regards to the risks of playing.
And understanding his case has helped each members of the general public and others within the sport confront their issues delivered an sudden silver lining to a tough interval.
“These individuals received assist simply by speaking, at first by speaking however then with one other one thousand methods,” he added.
“Step one, the largest step is having the ability to speak about this big factor you are carrying within you that you’ve got by no means completed earlier than and you do not have the braveness.
“You might have this monumental type of block and that is the largest step to take to resolve this drawback.”
Tonali additionally expressed thanks for the help he has obtained from these contained in the membership and their followers.
“I am completely satisfied as a result of it is the primary time after 10 months and I am feeling good as a result of I do know the workforce was right here with me and the followers have been right here with me and I’ve by no means been alone in these 10 months,” he added.
“It was very, very, very tough in October, November and December, the primary three months, and now I really feel it is a new time.
“A footballer lives for [matchdays], so it was exhausting work. I did work, although. I skilled on daily basis, much more than once I was taking part in.”
