The Italy captain was stung by a wasp during a training session and was given a cortisone-based treatment, which usually would be considered acceptable.

However, the medical staff failed to provide a piece of the paperwork confirming this course of action and so an inquiry has been opened.

As the request for permission had not been completed, the Juventus defender was tested and found positive for cortisone.

Cannavaro will be interrogated by the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) over the next few days.

It is most likely a matter of red tape and should be cleared up relatively quickly.

The 2006 World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner is suspended for Saturday’s Republic of Ireland match anyway, but this situation could in theory rule him out of next Wednesday’s encounter with Cyprus too.