Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has avoided a suspension for blasphemy after the Argentina striker agreed a fine with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for offensive language during a defeat to arch-rivals Juventus.
Martinez agreed to pay 5,000 euros ($5,463) as part of a plea bargain with the FIGC, whose rules ban taking the Lord’s name in vain.
The 27-year-old striker had previously denied twice using blasphemous language during February’s 1-0 loss in Turin, saying the following week, after he scored the winning goal for Inter against Genoa, that “I have never done it, ever”.
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“I try to teach respect to my children, these accusations have caused me great irritation,” he added.
Martinez is not the first player to fall foul of the FIGC’s anti-blasphemy rules, as goalkeeping icon Gianluigi Buffon was banned for one match in March 2021 after being caught being foul-mouthed with Juventus teammate Manolo Portanova.
Monza ‘keeper Stefano Turati was given the same punishment in August 2023 for blasphemous swearing during a defeat to Napoli while playing for his old club Frosinone.
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