Cassano dropped after president spat

ROME (AFP) - Italy forward Antonio Cassano has been dropped by Sampdoria following a dispute with club president Riccardo Garrone.

The 28-year-old reportedly argued with his club president on Tuesday and although he apologised during a meeting with Garrone on Thursday, coach Domenico Di Carlo ditched him from the match-day squad for Sunday's trip to Cesena.

Italian press reports claim Cassano refused to join Garrone at an awards event on Tuesday night.

"Referring to the episode on Tuesday 26th (November) at the Gloriano Mugnaini training centre during which the footballer Antonio Cassano behaved in a seriously offensive and disrespectful way in his meeting with the president Riccardo Garrone, Sampdoria has asked the relevant organisations to begin disciplinary proceedings," said a club statement.

Despite Thursday's apology, Garrone is said to have been fuming after his meeting with Cassano.

Press reports claim Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus will be interested in signing the errant star, a regular under new Italy coach Cesare Prandelli.