Lippi explains Totti axe
Marcello Lippi insists it was a technical decision to omit Francesco Totti.
Marcello Lippi insists it was a technical decision to omit Francesco Totti from his Italy squad, and not because of the Roma captain's recent suspension.Totti has been overlooked by national team coach Lippi for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo.
Lippi has opted not to select Totti due to a lack of match sharpness as he has only just returned from a five-game ban.
But there have been suggestions that Lippi was under pressure to axe the attacker due to the suspension Totti incurred for his recent sending off against Siena.
The Azzurri boss has refuted such a notion and is adamant there is nothing sinister behind his decision to leave Totti out of his squad.
"I called him on Thursday and he knew about it," said Lippi.
"I explained to him the reasons for his absence and 'zero tolerance' doesn't count in those reasons.
"It's a technical choice and I have not had any pressure from the Italian Federation.
"My decision isn't a punishment for him. He will come back, fundamentally, from September."
