Ventura pays price for Italy's ignominy

ROME - Ignoring calls to resign, the head of Italy's soccer federation fired national coach Gian Piero Ventura on Wednesday - 48 hours after the Azzurri were eliminated from World Cup qualifying by Sweden.

Federation boss Carlo Tavecchio was blunt in stating: "I spoke with Ventura today and told him that his services are no longer needed."

Ventura was fired amid a maelstrom of vociferous and impassioned criticism, with his tactical decisions blamed for Italy's failure to reach soccer's biggest showcase for the first time in six decades following the four-time champion's 1-0 playoff exit on Monday.