Italy’s Federico Dimarco has been forced to speak out over footage of him celebrating Bosnia and Herzegovina’s win over Wales.
The Inter wideman and a handful of his Italy teammates were captured watching Bosnia progress to a final play-off match and pumping their fists.
With their final opponents Italy themselves, the moment caused uproar on social media as it was seen as Italy’s players thinking they’d secured a weaker play-off.
However, Dimarco, who was front and centre of the scenes, has now claimed another motive.
“I decided to speak out because I wanted to say something very important,” he said in a press conference before the Bosnia decider.
“I have always had deep respect for every club and every national team.
“Ours was a simple, instinctive gesture during the penalty shootout, like between friends.
“Immediately afterward, I sent a message to Edin Dzeko [former Inter teammate]. We get along great, we played together, and we even saw each other on vacation.
“I congratulated him, he congratulated me, and he told me to wish the best team the best.”
Commenting on the criticism, he finished: “We were quite surprised to be filmed in a setting where family members were present, even children. I think it’s disrespectful.
“Arrogant? How could we be, when we haven’t been to the World Cup in twelve years?”
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