Angry Stranzl retires from international football

Veteran Austrian defender Martin Stranzl retired from international football on Wednesday angry at being ignored by present national manager Dietmar Constantini.

The 29-year-old Spartak Moscow player – capped 56 times and scorer of three goals – had criticised Constantini earlier this week complaining that the manager had not been truthful with him and had been unfair whilst selecting players for the squad who were only substitutes at their clubs.

“I have decided to bring an end to my international career,” Stranzl said in a statement.

Stranzl has not played once for the Austrian team – who failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals – since the arrival in April of Constantini.