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The Italian football federation (FIGC) said in a statement
that the 31-year-old had been excluded from the squad which will
travel to Skopje to face Macedonia in their Group G World Cup
qualifier on Sunday.
Pelle, who has already apologised for his tantrum, was taken off
on the hour after an ineffective display in the World Cup
qualifier which ended in a 1-1 draw on Thursday.
"The coach, in agreement with the FIGC, has decided to exclude
Graziano Pelle... for disrespectful behaviour when he was
substituted," the FIGC said.
"To be part of the national team involves the sharing of values
which are worthy of the national team, starting with respect
towards the staff, team mates and fans."
Ventura had initially appeared to play down the incident even
before the former Southampton player, who is now based with
Chinese club Shandong Luneng, had apologised.
"Pelle was angry, I think this was not so much because of the
substitution as the way we had played up to that point," he said
after the game.
"It's part of football, it's something I've seen many times in
my career. But when you wear the Italy shirt, you need to be
careful."
Pelle admitted on Instragram that he had "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."
Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was also prepared to forgive
and forget, he said before Pelle was excluded.
"He's a great guy and in the cold light of day, I'm sure he will
realise he was wrong," he said. "If he apologises for his
behaviour, we will be happy to embrace him.
"It was wrong but these things happen in such tense matches."
(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by John O'Brien)
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