Italy striker Graziano Pelle expelled from national team

Rome, Oct 7: Striker Graziano Pelle was expelled on Friday from Italy's national squad for his disrespectful behaviour during the 2018 World Cup football qualifier match against Spain.

The decision was taken by coach Giampiero Ventura along with the Italian Football Federation, or FIGC, after Pelle refused to salute Ventura when the player was replaced by Ciro Immobile in the match against Spain, which ended in a 1-1 draw on Thursday.

The change did not sit well with Pelle and on the way to the locker room he refused to greet the coach, in addition to insulting him, reports Efe.

"Representing the Italy national team 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 FIGC said on its website.