Tardelli dismisses Prandelli boycott threat

Republic of Ireland assistant boss Marco Tardelli is saddened by the latest match-fixing scandal to rock Italian football.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has claimed that he would have no problem pulling his squad out of Euro 2012 if it is felt that it would be the right thing to do in light of the controversy caused by Scommessopoli, which has already claimed one first-team player in the shape of Domenico Criscito.

Former Azzurri midfielder Tardelli finds the whole affair embarrassingly familiar, but does not foresee his compatriot following through on his threat to pull his side from the tournament.

“No, I don’t think so. Italy are very important,” the World Cup winner told reporters on Friday.

“They will be in Poland because there are only some players involved. Not all of football in Italy is involved.

“I am surprised (by Prandelli’s comments), but maybe sometimes he says some things to pressure the players and the people that are around the team.

“I am very sad but I have lived many times this situation. I know this situation was in 1980, when many players were disqualified.

“We need to clean the situation because if it carries on it is very bad for the football and the Italian people.

“I like to stay out of Italian football in Italy but I want my people recognised for the right reasons. They are honest people.”

The 57-year-old Tardelli represented his country on 81 occasions, scoring seven goals, the most memorable of which came in the 1982 World Cup final win over West Germany.