Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has claimed that it would have been too great a risk to take Giuseppe Rossi to the World Cup.
Despite being included in the provisional squad for the tournament after returning from a knee injury in May, the Fiorentina forward was eventually cut from the final group, which sparked an angry response from the 27-year-old.
"I didn't expect such a big controversy, it has caused some difficulties and I would like to clear up what has happened," Prandelli told reporters.
"I feel a great responsibility towards my squad, to the supporters, to Fiorentina, and taking him to Brazil was a risk that did not make sense to me, although it would have been easier to have picked him.
"I told him that he had not completed the healing process."
Rossi has scored seven goals in 30 appearances for Italy.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
