Italian midfielder, Rolando Mandragora, has been banned for one Serie A game after making “blasphemous remarks” during his team’s league match over the weekend.
The 21-year-old midfielder was caught on television hurling insult to the Virgin Mary, while also referring to God as a dog. Although his “blasphemous expressions” was not noticed by officials during the match, a review was made by the Lega Serie A and he was found wanting.
The Italian football association said Mandragora was “clearly seen to make blasphemous remarks, visibly identifiable from reading his lips without any margin for reasonable doubt.”
However, they acknowledged the Italian international was “cursing without addressing any of those present”.
In Italy, blasphemy is deeply frowned upon, as it is considered among the worst forms of swearing and the former old lady midfielder will miss next Sunday’s Serie A game against Fiorentina, after Lega Serie A confirmed it had been sent an email regarding the player’s behaviour.
Read also :Buhari may be suffering from cancer – Guardian UK