Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel had to pull out of the Italy squad through injury, but his agent warns Russia’s attempts to call him up due to his family history will end in failure.
The shot-stopper has impressed since moving to Lazio last season and was named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year.
He also hit the headlines this term when making a difference at the other end with a last-gasp header to draw 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
His mother is Russian and his father is Italian, so in theory he would be available for international duty with Russia.
This is an avenue that Russia’s goalkeeping coach Vitaly Kafanov is pursuing, according to his comments on Sport-Express.
“We are following Vanja’s performances. We know that he also scored a goal, but are disappointed that he refused to talk to us. I asked our Federation to get in contact with him, but he said that he did not want to talk to anyone from Russia.”
Quite apart from the fact Russia are currently not allowed to play international fixtures due to the invasion of Ukraine, Provedel’s agent insists he would not be able to play for the country of his mother’s birth, even if he wanted to.
“Provedel cannot play for Russia for the same reason he cannot play for France, Brazil or Portugal, and that is because he does not have citizenship of these countries,” said Giovanni Rava.
“He only has Italian citizenship. Perhaps Kafanov does not know that.”