This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
Italian soccer authorities have cracked down on blasphemy, handing one-match bans to two players who took God's name in vain during games.
On October 29, 2019, the Italian soccer authority handed down the punishments to Sassuolo's Francesco Magnanelli and Parma's Matteo Scozzarella after examining television pictures from the incidents.
Magnanelli had played during his team's 1-0 win over Verona, while Scozzarella appeared in Parma's 2-2 draw with Inter Milan.
Blasphemy is a serious offense in Italy, and the country's soccer authority has sought to combat it for over a decade.
As recently as August 2018, Ronald Mandragora was banned for one match after making blasphemous statements during a game for Udinese against Sampdoria.
Italy's soccer authorities have faced criticism for their disciplinary judgments this season, particularly on racism.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has urged the Italian soccer authority to take a stronger stance against racism, saying, "Racism is combated with education, condemnation and discussion. You can't have racism in society or in football in Italy, the situation hasn't improved and this is serious."
