Newcastle and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali says he took comfort helping other problem gamblers tackle their issues during his 10-month ban for breaching betting rules.
Tonali, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July 2023 for £55m, was banned by the Italian Football Federation last October for breaking rules while playing in Serie A.
The ban applied globally after being endorsed by world governing body Fifa.
Having served his punishment, the 24-year-old could return to action on Wednesday, when the Magpies travel to Nottingham Forest in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Speaking to the club’s television channel, Tonali said: “Especially in the first three months, I met a lot of people with ordinary jobs, especially in Newcastle, who had this problem and who had never spoken before now.
“They did so when it all came out, when the articles came out and my problem was made public, so after this they decided to get help and stop bottling things up, so this made me very happy.”
As well as his suspension, Tonali was ordered to complete an education programme and made 16 trips back to Italy to talk to the game’s next generation about the dangers of gambling.
And knowing his case has helped both members of the public and others in the game confront their problems delivered an unexpected silver lining to a difficult period.
“These people got help just by talking, at first by talking but then with another one thousand ways,” he added.
“The first step, the biggest step is being able to talk about this huge thing you’re carrying inside of you that you’ve never done before and you don’t have the courage.
“You have this enormous sort of block and this is the biggest step to take to resolve this problem.”
Tonali also expressed thanks for the support he has received from those inside the club and their fans.
“I’m happy because it’s the first time after 10 months and I’m feeling good because I know the team was here with me and the fans were here with me and I have never been alone in these 10 months,” he added.
“It was very, very, very difficult in October, November and December, the first three months, and now I feel it’s a new time.
“A footballer lives for [matchdays], so it was hard work. I did work, though. I trained every day, even more than when I was playing.”
Tonali, who is the Magpies’ second-most expensive signing, made 12 appearances for Eddie Howe’s side before the ban was imposed.
And Howe, who has confirmed that the Italy international will travel to the City Ground, said Tonali would experience a “range of emotions” on his return.
“When you have a long time out, you have a long time to analyse and reflect. Now it is just back to doing what he loves. It will be an incredible release for him,” Howe said.
“The microscope is on everybody and it will be on him for a period of time. He understands that and we understand that. It is just about small steps.
“He is fit, he just hasn’t had the match [practice] – the most important thing with the game time. “He has done everything else – he has worked incredibly hard to be on top of his fitness.
“He has to play to his strengths and not do anything too out of the ordinary.”
