England manager Fabio Capello has described Michael Owen as his "tormentor".

The Italian has continued to leave the Manchester United striker out of his squads even though the 29-year-old has scored 40 goals for his country, more than any of his rivals.

Capello compared his situation to that of Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who has been criticised for overlooking Sampdoria forward Antonio Cassano.

Speaking at a seminar based at Coverciano titled 'Football And Those Who Discuss It', he said: "Cassano? I have Owen. I already have a tormentor, each one has their own."

Owen, who missed the recent World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus through injury, has not played for England since early last year and his chances of making it to the World Cup in South Africa look slim.

Capello also ruled out succeeding Lippi in charge of Italy, but admitted a return to Serie A giants Juventus at some point in the future could not be ruled out.

He added: "Coach of the Italian national team? No, never.

"A return to Juventus? You can never say never, in football anything can happy."

Capello also revealed has been "saddened" by the problems at Italian football grounds and claims watching games in England and Spain is a more spectator-friendly experience.

A title winner at AC Milan, Roma and Juventus, Capello claims the game in Italy is being ruined by "ultras doing whatever they want".

Capello said: "As it is, the ultras [hardcore Italian fans] do whatever they want.

"In the stadium they can insult everything and anyone. In Spain it's different.

"There is more respect and the families go to the stadium with their children, it's a different world.

"I remember once (in Spain), a fan threw me a paper ball and he was taken away.

"In England the stadia are full, there is a desire to go to the stadium, nothing ever happens and the stewards do a perfect job.

"I am saddened with what is happening in Italy, the decline will be more evident, and what only needs to be done is to apply the law.

"A decision must be taken by the authorities and by the clubs so that people return to the stadiums and they are more welcoming."

The game in Italy has been plagued by violence in recent years but no major incidents have taken place this season after the anti-violence measures already in place were tightened.

Unruly spectators face the prospect of tougher penalties, while officials have had more control of fans entering stadia thanks to electric turnstiles which read tickets with fans' names on them.

Security cameras have also been installed at grounds across the country.

Additionally, clubs are banned from selling blocks of tickets to visiting fans and

now have the have the authority to prevent suspected hooligans from entering stadia.

The Italian Olympic Committee president Gianni Petrucci was unhappy with Capello's remarks.

"The ultras are in charge? Absolutely not," Petrucci said.

"Capello has coached in Italy, I am his friend, and I don't like it when they go abroad and start making judgements about their own country. Those are comments that don't thrill me."

Italian football federation president Giancarlo Abete added: "At times the image that is shown of our fans can be such that it confuses the poor behaviour of a small group with the behaviour of the majority.

"Results have shown that episodes of violence have decreased."