Graziano Pelle has been released from the Italy squad and will not travel with the team for their World Cup qualifier against Macedonia after he refused to shake the hand of coach Giampiero Ventura upon being substituted in Thursday's 1-1 draw with Spain.
Shandong Luneng striker Pelle, 31, left the field in frustration when replaced by Ciro Immobile and proceeded to walk past Ventura and ignore his outstretched hand.
"The head coach Gian Piero Ventura, together with the FIGC [Italian Football Federation], has decided to exclude Graziano Pelle from the list of players for the game with Macedonia on Sunday, Oct. 9 in Skopje due to his disrespectful behaviour at the moment of his substitution in the game against Spain yesterday," an FIGC statement read.
"Being part of the national team means sharing the values and assuming an attitude which is in keeping with the Azzurra shirt, and this begins with showing respect for the staff, teammates and fans.The player will return to his club today."
Pelle left the field with Italy trailing 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup qualifier.
His replacement, Immobile, impressed for the Azzurri, who equalised through a Daniele De Rossi penalty to earn a draw in Turin.