Italy captain tells media to behave

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has criticised media coverage of his team in the build-up to Euro 2004 and told the press to behave. Italian newspaper reports have hinted at jealousies and rivalries within the squad, particularly suggesting that forward...

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has criticised media coverage of his team in the build-up to Euro 2004 and told the press to behave.

Italian newspaper reports have hinted at jealousies and rivalries within the squad, particularly suggesting that forward Alessandro Del Piero feels slighted by coach Giovanni Trapattoni's praise for Francesco Totti.

Cannavaro took the unusual step of making a statement on behalf of the team.

"The entire team would like to express its displeasure with some of the things that we have read recently and not liked. It does not seem right and out of respect we hope that it stops," said defender Cannavaro.

Striker Antonio Cassano was due to speak to journalists on Thursday but pulled out without explanation.

Asked whether a press ban was on the horizon, Cannavaro said: "That would be an extreme decision. We hope we can move forward from here."

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