Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Italy and Sweden, on November 13, 2017 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. [AFP PHOTO]Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was on Thursday fined 5,000 euros (sh 657,000) by the Italian Football Federation for blasphemy. The 43-year-old Italian World Cup winner, who escaped a ban for the offence, was overheard using a "blasphemous expression" towards teammate Manolo Portanova during Juve's 4-0 league win over Parma on December 19. Since 2010, the Italian FA have taken disciplinary action against several players and coaches heard disrespecting God or the sacred. AS Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante and Lazio's Manuel Lazzari were both suspended for a match this season for "blasphemous" remarks.

Source: Standard Digital February 20, 2021 10:41 UTC