Florence, Italy: Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is defending his code of ethics after being criticized for calling up Mario Balotelli following the temperamental striker's latest outburst.
On Sunday, Balotelli finished serving a three-match ban with AC Milan for insulting and intimidating the referee in Serie A.
Prandelli says “if there was (one more match on the ban) Balotelli would not be here. Period. There's nothing to discuss. I've never called up a player that is banned.”
While Italy has already qualified for next year's World Cup, the Azzurri convened for training Monday ahead of their final two fixtures against Denmark and Armenia.
Prandelli also noted the impressive form of 37-year-old Roma captain Francesco Totti, saying that “if the World Cup were in 20 days, I wouldn't have any doubt. Totti would come.”
