<img title="Italy&rsquo;s Graziano Pelle during the World Cup qualifier vs Spain in Turin on Thursday. pic/Getty Images" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/oct/08pelle-italy.jpg" alt="Italy&rsquo;s Graziano Pelle during the World Cup qualifier vs Spain in Turin on Thursday. pic/Getty Images" /> Italy&rsquo;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.
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: &ldquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;ve done a bulls***," he wrote in an Instagram post.
&lsquo;Unacceptable behaviour&rsquo; "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&rsquo;s only right I take my responsibility for the incident. It&rsquo;s only right to give my heartfelt apology to everyone.&rdquo;

Italy axe Pelle from squad following striker&rsquo;s refusal to shake hands with coach Gian Piero Ventura after Azzurri's come-from-behind 1-1 result against Spain

Italy's Pelle refuses to shake hands with coach Gian Piero Ventura

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Italy axe Pelle from squad following striker&rsquo;s refusal to shake hands with coach Gian Piero Ventura after Azzurri's come-from-behind 1-1 result against Spain

Italy's Pelle refuses to shake hands with coach Gian Piero Ventura

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Italy's Pelle refuses to shake hands with coach Gian Piero Ventura

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