Croatia striker Nikola Kalinić set to be 'sent home from World Cup' | OneFootball

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Alex Mott·18 June 2018

Croatia striker Nikola Kalinić set to be 'sent home from World Cup'

Article image:Croatia striker Nikola Kalinić set to be 'sent home from World Cup'

Imagine waiting four years to play in a World Cup, and then being sent home after just a few days.

Well that’s exactly what’s about to happen to Nikola Kalinić who is set to be confirmed as the first person to be released from a World Cup squad for non-injury reasons.


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Croatia will have a press conference later on Monday where it will be confirmed that the AC Milan striker has been told to leave the camp.

It’s been reported that the 30-year-old refused to come on during their 2-0 win over Nigeria on Saturday.

Having been a substitute for the match, Zlatko Dalić asked Kalinić to come on in the 85th minute, where upon he told the coach that he had a back problem.

That’s been denied by the team doctors, and as such, the manager has taken the decision to tell the goalscorer he is no longer a part of his set-up.

Croatia’s next game will be against Argentina on Thursday, where they will have to make do with a 22-man squad.