PELLE
Former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle has been kicked
out of the Italy squad for "disrespectful behaviour."
The Italian FA (FIGC) announced on Friday morning that coach
Gianpiero Ventura had "excluded" the forward from the squad to play
FY Macedonia on Sunday in Skopje.
Pelle refused to shake his manager's hand and stormed to his
seat in the dugout after being substituted with the Italians needing an
equaliser in Thursday night's draw with Spain.
Ventura tried to play down the incident after the 1-1 draw
in Turin . "These things happen," he said.
"I
think Graziano was more angry at himself and the way his performance went than
anything else."
But a statement from the FIGC has since confirmed his
removal from the squad.
"Being part of the national team involves the sharing
of values of your teammates and the famous blue shirt.
"This starts with respect towards staff, teammates and
supporters.
"The player will today return to his club."
Pelle later posted an apology on Instagram:
"Unfortunately, I have once again made a mistake.
"It was unacceptable behavior, against the coach in the
first place and also to my teammates, who have always shown to have team spirit
in a fantastic Italy group that we all belong to.
"Like any great mistake, you always suffer the
consequences. And it is only right that I take full responsibility. I must ask
from the heart for forgiveness from everyone."
Pelle moved to Shandong Lueng for £13million this summer to
sign a big-money deal.
The 31-year-old earns £125,000 per week in the Chinese Super
League and will return to Asia shortly.
He was linked to Juventus and Lazio during the summer, while
a move to play under his former national team boss Antonio Conte at Chelsea was
also a possibility until he received the eye-watering offer.
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