Spalletti slams 'disrespectful' Panucci

AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has accused Christian Panucci of 'lacking respect' for the club and his team-mates after the veteran defender refused to take his place on the bench against Napoli at the weekend.

The 35-year-old was not prepared to take his place among the substitutes after being left out of the starting line-up, instead choosing to watch his side's 3-0 win from the stands.

Panucci, who was fined for his actions, later revealed that his coach Spalletti does not respect him and he wants to leave the Giallorossi.

A defiant Spalletti responded by saying: "He showed a lack of respect to me for not accepting my decision and also to the team.

"On the same bench were (Francesco) Totti, (Alberto) Aquilani, (Simone) Perrotta. Yes, that is lacking respect.

"I don't know whether he will stay or go. I need to take the will of the player into consideration and seeing as he does not want to play for the team, he has not been called up.

"If we do decide to sell Panucci then we will have to re-evaluate the defence."

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