Sandro Tonali’s girlfriend posts six-word message after Newcastle United’s midfielder ban

Sandro Tonali’s girlfriend has broken her silence on the Newcastle United midfielder’s 10-month ban from football.

The 23-year-old, who moved to St James’ Park from AC Milan for £52 million in the summer, is suspended until August 2024 after an investigation into illegal betting activity.

And now Tonali’s girlfriend of four years, Juliette Pastore, has posted a message supporting the footballer after initially remaining silent throughout the investigation.

Posting to her Instagram story, the Italian posted a photo of her and Tonali holding hands alongside the words ‘Always and forever by your side.’

The message of love reinforces just how supportive Juliette has been over the past few months. In August, she opened up about how difficult the transition from Milan to Newcastle had been for the couple but that they were happy to settle into Tyneside life.

“It’s been a difficult few months,” Juliette told her Instagram followers at the time. “From one moment to another you find yourself turning your life upside down and moving to another country far from everything. Not to mention the transfer issue, bureaucratic issues etc.

“There were a few people who didn’t help and didn’t make this change easy, but grinding our teeth we kept going.”

It is believed Tonali will spend a large proportion of his ban in Newcastle as he is still allowed to train with United throughout his suspension.

But as part of the agreement, Tonali will undergo an eight-month rehabilitation programme.

“An agreement has already been reached between the Federal Prosecutor’s Office and Sandro Tonali, which occurred before the referral, therefore it must be endorsed by the undersigned, which I have already done,’ said Gabriele Gravina, the president of the FIGC.

“A plea bargain is envisaged for 18 months of which eight months is activity recovery, some concerns therapeutic activity and at least 16 face-to-face meetings as testimony.

“A plea bargain is foreseen, mitigating circumstances are foreseen, the boys collaborated beyond belief, so we continue to respect the rules we have set for ourselves.”