Croatia send striker Kalinic home after refusing to enter game as sub

Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic was sent home from the World Cup in disgrace by head coach Zlatko Dalic on Monday after refusing to enter Saturday's 2-0 win against Nigeria as a late substitute.

"In agreement with his coaching staff, Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic decided to exclude Nikola Kalinic from the World Cup squad. Kalinic leaves Croatia basecamp in Roshchino on Monday and returns to Croatia," confirmed the Croatian Football Federation.

Dalic confirmed the decision in a news conference on Monday afternoon, when he told reporters that "during the Nigeria match, Kalinic was warming-up and should have come in the second half. However, he said he wasn't ready to go on because he felt a back problem."

"He did the same thing against Brazil and England, saying he wasn't ready, and for yesterday's training session too. I accepted it calmly, because I need ready and healthy players who can help their teammates. He's not like that, on three occasions he hasn't been ready, so I made this decision," said the Croatian coach.

The 30-year-old is expected to join Spanish LaLiga side Sevilla next season on a loan deal which includes the option for Sevilla to make the move permanent for 20 million euros.