“I’m leaving Italy”, announces rebel Panucci

Christian Panucci is likely to head for the Roma exit door this week after refusing to sit on the bench and falling out with coach Luciano Spalletti.

“I will not be answering questions now, I will do it in due time,” Panucci told the Corriere dello Sport. “I too have something to say, but I won’t do it now out of respect for Roma and their supporters. I did not attack anyone and I have only demanded to play. Refusing the bench was undeniably a bad move but one day I will explain my reasons. If I can, I will leave Italy because of what Roma represent to me,” he concluded.