Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) Chief Giancarlo Abete Thursday
told Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta that they must decide
whether they want to play for Italy by the end of this month.
AS Roma captain Totti has not played for the Azzurri since last
year's World Cup final win over France.
The 30-year-old player recently suggested he might come back
from his self-imposed exile on a part-time basis, just playing
Italy's most important games.
AC Milan defender Nesta, also a member of the World Cup-winning
squad, told Azzurri coach Roberto Donadoni he was considering
retiring from international football last month.
"The situations of Totti and Nesta will be clarified by the end
of July," Abete said.
The FIGC chief said the doubts must be cleared up soon so that
they do not overshadow Italy's preparations for September's Euro
2008 qualifiers against France and Ukraine, direct rivals for the
two Group B qualification slots.
Italy are second in the group after seven games with 16 points,
two behind leaders France.
Scotland are third with 15 points, while Ukraine are fourth with
12 but they have a game in hand.
(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2007)