Panucci backs Amauri bid

Panucci backs Amauri bid

20 November 2009

Parma stopper Christian Panucci is surprised by the controversy over Amauri’s possible Azzurri future. “I see nothing strange about it.”

The debate over whether the Juventus ace should play for Italy has again been in the news this week after he was attacked by Giampaolo Pazzini.

The Sampdoria striker questioned his rival’s status seeing as he was born in Brazil and is only set to be handed an Italian passport thanks to his wife’s Italian citizenship.

But Panucci, a man who won 57 caps for Italy before the return of Marcello Lippi, doesn’t see what all the fuss is about.

“I don’t know for sure whether Amauri is totally Brazilian or a little Italian,” stated the summer signing from Roma.

“If the documents say that Amauri can have Italian citizenship, then I think it is right that he is considered for the national side. I see nothing strange about it.”

Panucci backed up his argument by using Juventus winger Mauro Camoranesi, who was born in Argentina, as an example.

“It wouldn’t be the first time that this has happened seeing as it occurred with Camoranesi and nobody said anything.”

Nevertheless, although the former Milan player has given his backing to Amauri, he has also given his support to Pazzini.

“I just think that Pazzini, as well as Amauri, are two players who deserve to be a part of the World Cup in South Africa.”

www.football-italia.net