Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is sticking with his code of conduct "at all costs," even though it has resulted in the exclusions of Daniele De Rossi and Mario Balotelli for Friday's European Championship qualifier in Slovenia.
When he replaced Marcello Lippi after Italy's first-round elimination from the World Cup, Prandelli instituted new rules whereby national team players are expected to meet high behavioral standards even with their clubs.
De Rossi was banned for three AS Roma games by UEFA for elbowing Shakhtar Donetsk captain Dario Srna in the face during a Champions League match, and Balotelli was sent off during a Europa League match with Manchester City for a studs-first lunge at Dynamo Kiev defender Goran Popov.
Italy coach sticking with new conduct code
