Soccer: Italy left back Domenico Criscito will miss the European Championships next month in order to clear his name of match-fixing allegations, according to Italian soccer federation vice president Demetrio Albertini.
Police turned up at Italy's training base today and warned the former Genoa player, now at Zenit St Petersburg, he was under investigation in a wide-ranging fix probe.
“Criscito will not be with us at the European Championship,” Albertini said in a press conference. “He is in a hurry to end this current situation and that is his aim. He is disappointed to have caused this situation although he reiterates he has nothing to do with it.”
Criscito, a former Genoa player, had been expected to be in Cesare Prandelli’s 23-man squad for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, where they will face Rep of Ireland on June 18th after games against Spain and Croatia.
“We are disappointed but we have to remain close to the player,” Albertini said. “The decision not to include Criscito is a collective decision. The Federation has given Prandelli its support over this decision. Arrests have been made today but until proven otherwise, we are talking about innocent people even though they are considered suspects.
“I know Domenico and he is incredulous. He is an extraordinary guy and he has already seen his lawyers this morning. It is a strange day for us. These are things that we would not like to have had to go through.”
Criscito's absence leaves Italy with just centre back Giorgio Chiellini as a recognised defensive left-footer.
Prandelli has trimmed his squad by seven in total today, after cutting six other players from the original 32-man longlist. He must disappoint another two before noon tomorrow ahead of a friendly against Luxembourg in Parma at 6.45pm.
Uncapped Pescara midfielder Marco Verratti's and goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano were allowed leave today, as were Criscito's fellow defenders Davide Astori and Salvatore Bocchetti and midfielders Luca Cigarini and Ezequiel Schelotto.
Italy's 25-man squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St Germain)
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris St Germain), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea
Pirlo (Juventus)
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City), Fabio Borini (AS Roma), Antonio Cassano (AC Milan), Mattia Destro (Siena), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma).
