Prandelli stands by Bonucci

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has named Leonardo Bonucci in his Euro 2012 squad despite his links to the Serie A match-fixing scandal.

Earlier this week, Prandelli dropped Domenico Criscito due to the Zenit St Petersburg defender having his apartment searched as part of a match-fixing investigation in Italy.

But while it has emerged that Bonucci will also be questioned as part of the investigation, Prandelli has decided to keep the Juventus defender in his final 23-man squad.

“As far as Bonucci is concerned, we know nothing about the news that is passing on at the moment, so we are relatively serene about it,” Prandelli said during his squad announcement on Tueseday.

“Obviously we need to wait, but I talked with the guy a moment ago and he knows nothing”.

Prandelli claimed that he left Criscito out of the squad for the player’s own good.

He believes Criscito would not have been able to handle the pressure at the European Championships as the match-fixing scandal continued in Italy.

“From the human point of view we were good at remaining close and making Criscito feel our support, but we’re working to get ready for a very important sport event and we need confidence and serenity,” Prandelli said.

Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia and Siena striker Mattia Destro also miss out from Prandelli’s initial extended squad.