Italy left back Domenico Criscito will miss the European Championship next month in order to clear his name of match-fixing allegations, federation vice-president Demetrio Albertini said on Monday.
Police turned up at Italy's training base on Monday and warned the former Genoa player, now at Zenit St Petersburg, that he was under investigation in a wide-ranging fix probe.
"It has been a decision agreed between (coach Cesare)Prandelli and the federation," Albertini told reporters. "He (Criscito) was also sorry for the repercussions on the national team and on the dressing room. He explained some things to me and I believe his version and in his innocence." Criscito, who prosecutors allege was photographed in a restaurant with match-fixing suspects while still a Genoa player, told reporters: "I have nothing to do with this. I was only out for dinner with some Genoa fans". The latest match-fixing probe has stunned Italy and led to some high profile arrests.
Serie A title-winning Juventus coach Antonio Conte is also under investigation over his time as Siena boss. Italian soccer was last embroiled in a major match-fixing affair in 2006 - the year the national team won the World Cup. Italy face Spain, Croatia and Ireland in Euro 2012 Group C in Ukraine and Poland.
(Writing by Mark Meadows; editing by Tony Jimenez)
