Graziano Pelle has been booted out of the Italy squad for refusing to shake hands with head coach Giampiero Ventura after being substituted.
The former Southampton striker was taken off the pitch in the second half of Italy's 1-1 draw with Spain in Thursday night's World Cup qualifier in Turin.
As a result of refusing Ventura's hand, Pelle has been ordered to return to his club Shandong Luneng in the Chinese Super League, meaning that he will miss Sunday's qualifier against Macedonia.
A statement from the national team read: "Azzurri head coach Giampiero Ventura, with the full support of the FIGC, has decided to drop Graziano Pelle from the Italy squad for the match against FYR Macedonia in Skopje on Sunday, October 9 due to the player's disrespectful behaviour when he was substituted during yesterday's match against Spain.
"Representing the Italy national team involves sharing values and exhibiting attitudes befitting the status of the Azzurri shirt. This begins with a player's dealings with the staff, his teammates and the supporters."
Pelle took to Instagram to issue an apology, which read: "Unfortunately, I have once again made a mistake. It was unacceptable behavior, against the coach in the first place and also to my teammates, who have always shown to have team spirit in a fantastic Italy group that we all belong to.
"Like any great mistake, you always suffer the consequences. And it is only right that I take full responsibility. I must ask from the heart for forgiveness from everyone. Graziano."
Pelle left Southampton for Shandong in the summer transfer window in a reported £12m deal.
Danielle Joynson
