Italian league boss backs ban for international no-shows 1-Jun-2007
*MILAN, June 1 (Reuters) -* The head of the *Italian League *said he
supports the idea of international bans for players who refuse call-ups to
the national side.
AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta chose to get married instead of travel
with Italy for Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier in the Faroe Islands and has
told coach Roberto Donadoni he may never play for the Azzurri again.
AS Roma striker Francesco Totti has not played for Italy since their World
Cup victory last July, saying he has better things to do than play for the
national side.
UEFA President Michel Platini has suggested the idea of suspensions for
players who refuse call-ups and Italian league chief Antonio Matarrese
thinks it is a good idea.
*"I agree with Platini," *he told *Gazzetta dello Sport *on Friday.
*"He knows well the value of representing your own country. Those who do not
want to play with the national side do not deserve it. As for sporting
sanctions, there is a moral condemnation on those who refuse a call-up for
the Azzurri."*
However, Italian Soccer Federation President Giancarlo Abete is less sure.
*"You need to distinguish between agreements with the coach to miss a game
in the blue jersey, for example following an injury, from the refusal to be
called up*," he said.
*Source(text): Reuters* *Source(images): Associated Press*
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