MARCO TARDELLI DOES not believe Italy will withdraw from participation at the European Championships.

The Republic of Ireland assistant manager watched on as Cesare Prandelli insisted he would have no problem with the Azzurri pulling out of the tournament, given the latest match fixing scandal engulfing Serie A and Serie B.

“If you told us that for the good of football we should not participate, it wouldn’t be a problem for me,” Prandelli had said.

“There are things that I believe are more important.”

Tardelli, who played with the Italy manager under current Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni at Juventus, is having none of it.

“I don’t think so, I don’t think so. Italy is very important. They will be in Poland because it is only some players [who are allegedly involved],” he told the press.

“Not all of football in Italy is involved.

“Yes, I am surprised [he said it], but maybe sometimes Prandelli says some things to pressure the players and the people that are around the team.”

Tardelli hopes that the corruption investigation will eliminate any malpractice from the game in his home country for good.

“I am very sad, but I have lived many times through this situation,” he added.

“I knew this situation in 1980 when many players were disqualified, then 10 years ago and now.

“We need to clean it up because if we can carry on with this situation, it is very bad for football and the Italian people. I want my people to be recognised for the right reasons. They are honest people.”

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