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Ventura rules out Pelle call-up: 'He besmirched the image of the group'

Related Topics: Giampiero Ventura

The striker reacted angrily to being substituted against Spain, refusing to shake his coach's hand, and will now play no part in the Azzurri's November fixtures

Giampiero Ventura has confirmed that Graziano Pelle will not be called up for the next Italy squad after "he besmirched the image" of the Azzurri.

The striker refused to shake the coach's hand when substituted against Spain earlier in October, prompting his exclusion for the following match against Macedonia.

Ventura is in no rush to reintergate Pelle, who plies his trade in China with Shandong Luneng, back into the international fold, and thus the former Southampton man will sit out the upcoming meetings with Lichtenstein and Germany.