Panucci hits out at Lippi snub

Christian Panucci is angry that his good form for Roma has been overlooked by Italy.

Defender Christian Panucci has accused Italy coach Marcello Lippi of allowing his personal relationship with players to interfere with team selection.

Panucci has been one of the driving forces behind Roma's impressive Serie A campaign, but has not earned a call-up to the national squad in recent games and his chances of playing in the World Cup appear slim.

The 32-year-old believes that the reason for his snub is Lippi's personal opinion of him, with the two of them currently not on the best of terms.

"Italy is one of the last countries in the world in which a player in form isn't able to earn a place in the national team just because he's nasty," he told Italia 1.

Christian Zaccardo of Palermo is one player in direct competition with Panucci for a place in the Italy squad, and has been the preferred option in the last couple of friendlies.

"Is Zaccardo better than me?" said Panucci. "I don't think so."