Inter Milan Captain Lautaro Martinez Fined for Blasphemy
Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has managed to avoid a suspension for blasphemy after reaching a settlement with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) over offensive language used during a match against rivals Juventus.
The Argentine striker has agreed to pay a fine of 5,000 euros ($5,463) as part of a plea deal with the FIGC, which prohibits the use of profane language, particularly taking the Lord’s name in vain.
Initially, Martinez denied using such language during the game against Juventus, but later he accepted the fine. In a statement, he mentioned, “I try to teach respect to my children, these accusations have caused me great irritation.”
This incident is not the first of its kind in Italian football. In the past, legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Monza goalkeeper Stefano Turati have also faced penalties for similar offenses under the FIGC’s anti-blasphemy regulations.
Despite the controversy, Martinez continues to lead Inter Milan as their captain, hoping to move past this incident and focus on the team’s performance on the field.