Exclusive – Ex Man United & Italy Star Giuseppe Rossi On Banning Bastoni From Azzurri: “That’s All BS” | OneFootball

Former Manchester United and Italy star striker Giuseppe Rossi believes calls to ban Alessandro Bastoni from the Azzurri is ridiculous.

Giuseppe Rossi argued that calls to ban Alessandro Bastoni from the Azzurri ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, are utterly ridiculous.

The former Fiorentina striker argued that what the Inter Milan defender did against Juventus in the Derby d’Italia is something that he hates.

However, Rossi added that what Bastoni did is part of the game.

Furthermore, Rossi was much more critical of the VAR protocol. In fact, the former Villarreal striker argued that the purpose of the VAR is to catch these situations.

Subsequently, Rossi argued that if VAR can’t intervene, then it defeats the whole purpose of having the VAR.

Rossi made these statements in an interview with SempreInter.com and The Italian Football Podcast, at an online event hosted by BetVictor Online Casino.

Ex Man Utd & Italy Star Giuseppe Rossi On Banning Bastoni From Azzurri: “That’s All BS”

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 22: Giuseppe Rossi during Pepito Day at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 22, 2025 in Florence, Italy. Pepito Day is special event dedicated to Giuseppe Rossi, affectionately nicknamed “Pepito”. This day will mark the farewell to football of the Italian-American striker, famous for his career at clubs such as Fiorentina, Villarreal and Manchester United, as well as for his appearances for the Italian national team. (Photo by Diego Puletto/Getty Images)

“Listen, on the field you do anything to win. And if Bastoni thought that was the thing to do, then for him it was the thing to do” Rossi began.

“It worked. They were able to have one guy more [on the pitch]. And ultimately win the game. Can you fault him? No. Do I like it? No I hate that type of stuff.

“But can you fault him? No, you can’t fault him. Unfortunately, it’s all part of the game” he added.

“What I do fault, what I don’t understand is the VAR. These are the things that VAR should look at. And say no it’s not a red card, it’s a yellow card for Bastoni for diving.

“And then you go, that’s it. What the hell is the VAR for? it doesn’t make any sense. I don’t fault Bastoni, but I don’t like it.

“I fault the VAR and I fault whatever these damn rules regarding the VAR.

“And all this, saying that he not going to on the national team is BS. Everybody does something that’s on the limits of the rules in order to gain an advantage.

“If that’s the case him not going on the national team, then we have no national team” Rossi concluded.