Roberto Mancini ignites 'non-Italian players' row

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This was published 8 years ago

Roberto Mancini ignites 'non-Italian players' row

Updated

Milan A debate over the eligibility of players born to Italians living outside the country has been reignited after criticism of coach Antonio Conte's decision to draft South American-born players into the national side.

Palermo's Argentinian-born midfielder Franco Vazquez and Brazilian-born Sampdoria striker Eder were among three new faces named by Conte in a 26-man squad for upcoming games against Bulgaria and England.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini.Credit: Reuters

Their call-ups come as Italy look to rebuild after their disastrous exit from the first round of the World Cup for the second successive edition.

But the choices did not sit well with everyone.

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini told reporters in Rome on Monday: "If you play for Italy you should be Italian."

When reminded that Germany won the World Cup with players born to immigrant families, Mancini replied: "But their players were born in Germany.

"I believe an Italian player deserves to play in the national team, while those who are not born in Italy, even if they have Italian family, shouldn't have that right.

"We do so much to train young players and in the end we draft in some oriundi (players born to Italian emigrants). It would be better to bring our own young players through.

"But if these are the rules, Conte is free to apply them as he pleases. I have my own opinion."

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Once the pride of Italy, the Azzurri have struggled on the world stage in recent years and Mancini's remarks have fuelled a decades-long debate about the role and influence of the 'oriundi'.

Although the tradition has not always born fruit, Italy, and to a lesser extent Spain, has a long history of turning to foreigners whose ancestors emigrated from Italy - if their soccer talents match requirements.

Carlo Tavecchio, the president of Italy's soccer federation (FIGC), underlined the fact Italy won the 2006 World Cup with the help of Argentine-born Mauro Camoranesi.

"If I remember correctly there was one of them (oriundi) in our team when we won the 2006 World Cup," said Tavecchio.

"But Conte has absolute freedom to select whoever he wants to play. If a player has citizenship, he is eligible. He's an Italian citizen, so there's no debate."

Italy on Saturday face Euro 2016 qualifying Group H rivals Bulgaria in Sofia looking for their fourth Group H win in five games. They currently sit joint top with Croatia after three wins and a draw.

Conte conceded his squad should "not be a fallback for players who can't get into their own national teams."

But he ultimately defended his decision: "I am not the first and will not be the last to call up these oriundi.

"At the last World Cup, 83 of the over 700 players were not native born. These are the rules."

AFP

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