Italy coach Spalletti denies Verratti rejected selection

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has denied PSG midfielder Marco Verratti turned down a selection call.

Verratti is currently in Doha to sign with Al-Arabi.

Spalletti said: I could not call everyone, but I did call somebody.

I did call him [Verratti], but I don't have the perception he said so. On the contrary, he said he was glad I had called him, [Leonardo] Bonucci said the same thing. Despite all the difficulties, they'd like to help the national team. This is what they said.

I tried to talk to some coaches too," continued Spalletti.

I managed to speak to some, while others didn't pick up the phone, maybe they don't have my number. I want to involve everyone even if, there is a project to carry forward and the priority is to qualify."