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Christian Panucci hits out at 'shameful' Fabio Capello after quitting Russia

Wednesday, November 26, 2014 Source: theguardian.com

· Panucci criticises Capello for failing to back him in pay row
· Former defender quit role with Russia over dispute
· We cannot afford Capello's salary, says Russia's FA


The Russia manager, Fabio Capello, has been labelled 'shameful' by his former assistant Christian Panucci.

Christian Panucci has taken a swipe at the Russia manager, Fabio Capello, for falling to back him and other national team assistants in their pay dispute.

Panucci, as well as the fitness coach Massimo Neri, left Capello's coaching staff earlier this month amid a contractual row, refusing to travel with the side for the Euro 2016 qualifier in Austria.

The former Roma defender, who undertook his role with Russia in 2012, had worked without a contract since the World Cup in Brazil. He revealed he turned down other job offers in the expectation his contract under Capello would be renewed.

"When we returned from Brazil I was promised a new deal several times but that never happened. I worked without a contract and in the end I just had to say: 'that's enough'. And to think I turned down other jobs for that," Panucci, who played under Capello at Roma, Milan and Real Madrid, told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I thank Fabio for the opportunity he gave me but he behaved in a shameful way towards me and all the other Italians on the staff. I will tell him that to his face the next time I see him. A great manager has to defend his men and he hasn't done that."

Capello has also worked without being paid since June with the Russian football union admitting earlier this month it could not afford his £6.8m annual salary.

On the field Russia have continued to struggle since a disappointing World Cup and are third in their Euro 2016 qualifying group after draws with Moldova and Sweden as well as a defeat by Austria.

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