Panucci lashes out at Capello

Christian Panucci has lashed out at Russia head coach Fabio Capello for not backing him and other assistants on the national team staff over a contract dispute.

The ex-Roma defender was part of Capello’s coaching team with Russia but stopped working for them a few weeks ago when the Russian Football Union (RFU) failed to make good on a pledge to give them new contracts.

Panucci and fitness coach Massimo Neri, who accepted the assistant positions back in 2012, had worked without a contract since their previous deals ended at the conclusion of the World Cup in Brazil.