Fabio Cannavaro remain with the squad throughout Euro 2008
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro is to stay with the team throughout the Euro 2008 despite excluded from the tournament.
The 34-year collided with defender Giorgio Chiellini in Italy from the first training session in Austria and his departure was confirmed after tests at the hospital.
Cannavaro said today: "I intend to stay with my teammates to give them a captain's support. According to you (Italian journalists), they will have to put up with me for another two years. "
And the former FIFA World Player of the Year was quick to reprimand Chiellini responsible for the injury. "These things happen," he said. "He (Chiellini) should not think twice. That is easy. It was not his fault."
Cannavaro will be for a few months after tearing ankle ligaments. It should have an operation on Wednesday following the injury suffered Monday.
"It was my last Championship of Europe. We are footballers and these things happen, "the 34-year, Cannavaro added.
"After two years of work on this campaign seems right for me to stay with my teammates."
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni said that no decision has been taken on the Captaincy. Cannavaro its place in the 23-strong team was completed by Alessandro Gamberini.
Alessandro Gamberini was called to replace and arrive at their base near Vienna today. Plafonné of 116 times, Cannavaro was a key figure in the defence of Italy and was voted FIFA's World Player of the Year in 2006.
However, it became slower and more errors since moving to Real Madrid from Juventus after the World Cup triumph.
His place in the national side has never been questioned, but the emergence of centre back Andrea Barzagli, who has produced some assured displays for Italy last year, slightly soften the blow for Donadoni.
Defender Marco Materazzi is also in the team while Chiellini and Christian Panucci can play centre back rather than the full return.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon May be most likely to take over as captain with midfielders Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini other options.
The world champions flew to Austria earlier Monday.
Italy face the Netherlands in their first match of Group C in June Berne, 9 before playing Romania and France.
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