Nikola Kalinic has been sent home from the World Cup by Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic after the AC Milan forward refused to come on as a second-half substitute during the 2-0 defeat of Nigeria on Saturday, according to reports.
Kalinic, 30, who was starting his fourth successive international on the bench, claimed he had a back injury before telling Dalic he was unable to play.
Speaking after his side’s 2-0 win that made them Group D leaders ahead of Iceland, Argentina and Nigeria, Dalic, according to Croatian media reports, said his side had finished the match in Kaliningrad without any injuries but “with a problem”.
The news will sour what had been a positive start to the tournament after Luka Modric had scored from the penalty spot to seal all three points for Croatia after an own-goal from Oghenekaro Etebo had handed Dalic’s side the lead.
Modric converted in the 71st minute when referee Sandro Ricci awarded a penalty after William Ekong held onto Mario Mandzukic, the only recognised Croatia No 9 following Kalinic’s dismissal.
The Croatian Football Federation has yet to confirm Kalinic’s expulsion from the tournament, though are expected to confirm it later on Monday during a press conference three days ahead of their game with Argentina in Nizhny Novgorod.
