Italy axe Pelle from squad following striker’s refusal to shake hands with coach Gian Piero Ventura after Azzurri's come-from-behind 1-1 result against Spain
Italy’s Graziano Pelle during the World Cup qualifier vs Spain in Turin on Thursday. pic/Getty Images
Turin: Striker Graziano Pelle has been thrown out of the Italy squad after refusing a touchline handshake from head coach Gian Piero Ventura. The former Southampton player was substituted after 59 minutes of the World Cup qualifier against Spain on Thursday.
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Petulance proves costly
Ventura reached out his hand to Pelle who ignored the gesture. His apparent petulance has proven costly, with Pelle dismissed from the Italy camp yesterday. The 31-year-old's departure was announced in a statement from the Italian football federation (FIGC).
It read: “Azzurri head coach Gian Piero Ventura, with the full support of the FIGC, has decided to drop Graziano Pelle from the Italy squad for the match against Macedonia on October 9 due to the player’s disrespectful behaviour during the match against Spain.
"Representing the Italy involves sharing values and exhibiting attitudes befitting the status of the Azzurri shirt. This begins with a player’s dealings with the staff, his teammates and the supporters. The player will return to his club today."
Italy came from behind to draw 1-1, with Daniele De Rossi converting a late penalty.
Pelle accepted he was fully at fault. "Unfortunately it has happened again and I’ve done a bulls***," he wrote in an Instagram post.
‘Unacceptable behaviour’
"An unacceptable behaviour against the coach in the first place and consequently to my teammates who have always shown important values in a fantastic Italy squad of which we are part. Like any great mistake you always face the consequences and it’s only right I take my responsibility for the incident. It’s only right to give my heartfelt apology to everyone.”
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