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'Ugly story' keeps Cassano out	Wednesday 4 November, 2009

Sampdoria President Riccardo Garrone has revealed how an “ugly story” has kept Marcello Lippi from calling up Antonio Cassano to the Italy squad. Lippi has repeatedly ignored the 27-year-old despite some virtuoso performances in Serie A that inspired Samp to the top of the table earlier this season. The majority of the fans and the media have criticised Lippi for his attitude, but Garrone's revelations now shed new light on the reasoning behind his decision. Speaking to Radio Capital, Garrone said: “Cassano has an explanation that I know and that I also have no intention of speaking about. “I have never spoken with Lippi. I have never allowed myself to speak about Cassano. Maybe one day this story will come out, and it will be a very very ugly story,” he concluded. The comments were made yesterday and attracted little attention at the time, but Il Corriere dello Sport has published them again and is demanding an explanation. The Rome based daily newspaper feels the public have the right to know what is stopping Cassano from playing for La Nazionale.