Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni has been confirmed as available for selection in the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixture against Belgium on Sunday evening. This clarification follows initial confusion regarding a yellow card reportedly issued during Italy’s 3-1 victory over France on Thursday.
UEFA’s initial match reports indicated that Bastoni had received a yellow card during the second half of the encounter. This raised concerns that the Inter Milan centre-back would face a suspension for the crucial match against Belgium, as he was one of several Italy players already carrying a yellow card in the competition.
However, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has since confirmed that the report was an error. It was Davide Frattesi, the midfielder, who was actually shown the yellow card during the match against France. This correction ensures Bastoni’s eligibility for the final Nations League group stage fixture.
Under UEFA Nations League rules, players incur a one-match suspension after accumulating every second yellow card. With Bastoni having been on a single yellow card prior to the France game, a second booking would have ruled him out. Following the FIGC’s clarification, neither Bastoni nor Frattesi will be suspended for the match against Belgium.
Other players in Italy’s squad who were carrying a yellow card before the France game included Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nicolo Fagioli, Antonio Vergara, and Gianluca Scamacca. Pio Esposito also received a booking against France, but as this was his first yellow card of the campaign, he remains eligible to face Belgium.