Italy send Graziano Pelle packing for refusing to shake coach's hand
Italy snatched a late penalty goal against Spain on Thursday to keep alive their ridiculous streak of NEVER having lost a World Cup qualifier at home, so you’d think all was molto benne in the Azzurri camp.
Not quite.
Italy will play their next World Cup qualifier, Sunday against Macedonia, without starting forward Graziano Pelle after he was sent home by the team for failing to shake head coach Giampiero Ventura’s hand when he was taken off in the 60th minute.
Spain had just taken the lead five minutes before Pelle’s substitution, so he was understandably irked. But anyone who follows the sport knows that denying your coach a handshake is just about the quickest way to land in the dog house, and Pelle did it anyway. The move is especially dumb considering Ventura has only been Italy's new manager for a couple months. Not a great way to get in his good graces.
Pelle quickly realized his mistake and apologized to the team and the fans via Instagram after the game.
“Unfortunately, I have once again made a mistake,” the post reads in English.
“It was unacceptable behavior, against the coach in the first place and also to my teammates, who have always shown to have team spirit in a fantastic Italy group that we all belong to.”
“Like any great mistake, you always suffer the consequences. And it is only right that I take full responsibility. I must ask from the heart for forgiveness from everyone.”
Alas, the apology didn’t absolve him. Pelle will now return to his Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng, who incredibly made him the 5th highest paid footballer in the world this summer (which still bugs me and it should bug you, too). Only time will tell when Ventura will grant Pelle a second chance.
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