The 31-year-old has paid the price for snubbing manager Gianpiero Ventura’s handshake against Spain last night.
Italy’s Graziano Pelle reacts
Former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle has been thrown out of the Italy squad after a display of petulance saw him ignore his manager’s offer of a handshake following his substitution against Spain.
The frontman, now playing his football for Shandong Luneng in China after a big-money move away from St Mary’s this summer, was withdrawn after an hour of the Azzurri’s 1-1 draw with the 2010 World Cup winners after a largely anonymous performance.
Clearly frustrated by the decision, Pelle refused to shake Gianpiero Ventura’s hand on his way to the dugout, which has seen the Italian FA decide to send the 31-year-old back to his club in the Far East. This rules Pelle out of Italy’s next qualifier, which takes place on Sunday against Macedonia.
Italy’s Graziano Pelle reacts
Posting on Instagram, Pelle said: “Unfortunately, it’s happened again, I’ve messed things up.
“It was unacceptable behaviour, firstly against the coach and also, towards my team mates, who have always shown me to have important values in this fantastic Italy group we belong to.
“Like any great mistake, I accept the consequences. And it is only right that I take responsibility. I must ask offer my apologies from my heart to everyone.”
The manager himself did not make a particularly big issue of the matter after the match. Ventura is quoted in the Guardian as saying that “Pellè was angry, I think this was not so much because of the substitution as the way we had played up to that point.”
However, the Italian football authority said in a statement: “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.”
Graziano Pelle celebrates for Southampton
Pelle scored 23 Premier League goals in his two seasons on the south coast, and has so far netted three times in seven games for his new side as he links up with former Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse.
Italian fans took to Twitter to give their thoughts.
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