Dominic Okolie 
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been handed one-match ban for blasphemy which would rule him out of next weekend’s Turin derby.
Federal Prosecutor Giuseppe Chine opened the investigation after 42-year-old Buffon was overheard using a blasphemous expression when addressing teammate, Manolo Portanova during Juventus’ 4-0 win over Parma on December 19, 2020.
Italian Football Association officials figured this out through the replay that Juventus’ goalie, Gigi Buffon, said “Dio” (God)- in vain, may I promptly add.
According to the new “Blasphemy Law,” the Italian Football Association allows referees to send off any player who says God’s name in vain. The player could also get suspended by the FA if the referee misses the incident and or fails to punish him. In this case, all you need is a review of the match, which confirms the player was saying “God.”
The 43-year-old Juventus legend and World Cup winner had been fined 5,000 euros ($6,000) last month by the Italian Football Federation but escaped a ban. However, the FIGC’s Court of Appeal upheld the Federal Prosecutor’s appeal and imposed a ban, meaning Buffon will be ruled out of Saturday’s game at Torino.
Since 2010, the Italian FA have taken disciplinary action against several players and coaches heard disrespecting God or the sacred but, the frequency has increased because the vacuum caused by empty stadiums has made I easy for microphones and cameras to easily pick up heated exchanges as games go on.
AS Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante and Lazio’s Manuel Lazzari were also suspended for a match this season for “blasphemous” remarks.
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