The controversy surrounding Inter Milan’s captain Lautaro Martinez has taken a new turn as audio evidence of his alleged blasphemous outburst has reportedly been acquired by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) prosecutor’s office. The incident in question occurred at the end of the high-stakes match between Juventus and Inter, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Inter.
According to reports, Federal Prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné has obtained the vocal proof of Martinez’s alleged blasphemy, having specifically requested all necessary material from DAZN to shed light on the incident. This development comes despite Martinez’s earlier denials of using any blasphemous expression. The Argentine striker had previously stated, “When people speak so badly about a person, it’s annoying. I insulted, but I never blasphemed. I don’t accept this, but I move on. Those who know me know what kind of man and father I am.”
The case has continued to stir controversy, especially after the Sporting Judge’s initial decision not to take action against Martinez. The Inter captain was allowed to play in the subsequent league match, where he scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Genoa.
Typically, incidents of this nature can result in a suspension of one or more matches, as evidenced by the recent ban imposed on Sampdoria player Alex Ferrari for a similar offense. However, Martinez has not faced any sanctions to date and is expected to play in the crucial upcoming match against Napoli, which could be decisive for the Scudetto race.
With the audio now in the hands of the FIGC prosecutor, a formal charge seems imminent. However, the process is likely to be lengthy. Martinez now has a week to decide whether to negotiate a plea bargain or go to trial, risking a potential suspension. Alternatively, he could settle the matter with a fine, a solution that reports suggest would be preferable for both the player and the club, allowing Inter to continue relying on their star striker.
This case draws parallels to previous incidents in Italian football. Last year, Frosinone goalkeeper Stefano Turati faced suspension for a similar offense after a match against Napoli. In contrast, Roma’s Bryan Cristante managed to avoid severe punishment in a comparable situation during a match against Juventus.
