Italian FA confirm blasphemy ban
The Italian Football Association on Friday upheld a one-match blasphemy ban against Udinese's Italian international Rolando Mandragora who was caught on camera swearing.
Midfielder Mandragora was suspended for one Serie A game for "blasphemous remarks" during his team's 1-0 win over Sampdoria at the weekend.
The 21-year-old midfielder was caught on television shouting "Porca Madonna, Vaffanculo, Dio Cane", an insult to the Virgin Mary, while also referring to God as a dog, in exasperation after a save by Sampdoria goalkeeper Emil Audero.
The swearing went unnoticed by officials during the match, leading to a review by the league. The FIGC confirmed in a statement that his suspension had been upheld, and rejected an appeal by his club Udinese.
As a result the former Juventus midfielder will miss Sunday's Serie A game against Fiorentina. Mandragora - who won the Serie A and Italian Cup with Juventus in 2017 - signed for Udinese last month.
The player from Naples has one cap for Italy after earning his first call-up under new national coach Roberto Mancini during a friendly loss to France last June.
The Italian FA have since 2010 taken disciplinary action against players and coaches heard disrespecting God or the sacred.