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發表於 2007-6-3 20:02:51
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FIGC: Totti's time is up Sunday 3 June, 2007
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FIGC President Giancarlo Abete has warned Francesco Totti that he could face sanctions if he continues to refuse a return to the Italy squad.
UEFA President Michel Platini noted this week that players should be suspended if they turn down a call for international duty.
“Platini’s comment was entirely plausible and is shared by the Federation rules, as players who refuse the international call are in for suspension,” said the FIGC chief.
Totti has been out of the Azzurri scene since the World Cup, claiming he needed to focus on a full recovery from his fractured ankle.
Despite that injury, he has been Serie A’s top scorer with 26 goals and is in line for the Golden Shoe as Europe’s top League hitman.
As for Nesta, he has retired from international duty, as he feels that at the age of 31 and with precarious fitness, he cannot handle both commitments.
“This is a difficult situation, though, as Nesta has asked to walk away after giving a great deal to the Nazionale and the Coach has agreed to let him take this move,” explained Abete.
“We hope he will change his mind and that Totti can return in September, as he hinted, because Italy needs a player of his talent.”
Considering the news that the Roma captain will not require surgery to remove the metal plaque in his ankle, there should be nothing stopping him from returning to the Italy side.
“If Totti is called and he refuses, then that is one thing. Right now Totti and Roberto Donadoni have discussed the matter and agreed to accept that decision.”
This is a matter of utmost importance, as Italy face two crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers with France and Ukraine in September.
“We will not arrive at September living in hope. We have to prepare for the future and that means knowing who will be with us and who will not.”
The Azzurri are now in second place in Group B with 13 points to France’s 15 after their 2-1 victory in the Faroe Islands.
“We got the result and there was some tension at the end, as if you waste that many chances then you will run risks.
“The important thing today was to achieve the three points and put ourselves in a stronger position for qualifying.
It has been a long hard journey for the Nazionale, who went from World Cup winners to a terrible start in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign under Donadoni.
“We started out with a draw and a defeat, followed by four straight victories, so our situation has definitely improved. There is a long way to go and tonight’s events should reiterate how we need to put every effort into Wednesday’s game in Lithuania.”
FIGC President Abete faces a battle back home over the start of the 2007-08 season. He has requested an August 19 kick-off to give the players greater match fitness ahead of those September qualifiers, but the Lega Calcio refuses to begin before August 26.
“In the last 10 years we have played the first international match of the season in September either with just one Serie A match behind us or none at all, so even starting on August 26 would be an improvement with two rounds played.”
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發表於 2007-6-3 00:13:18
