Italy teaches footballers how to behave

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has approved a new list of penalties for bad behaviour on the pitch. Under the new regulations referees could give players the red card as soon as they utter a curse. For the daily Jornal de Notícias this is taking things a bit too far: "First [the captain of the British national team] John Terry of FC Chelsea London was penalised because he coveted the wife of his colleague and now the Italian Football Federation wants to punish those who curse or take the name of God in vain. … After the Vatican had the 'copyright' for the name Pope and for the papal symbols registered last December it now looks like the name of God and Catholic symbols will soon be protected by copyright too. Then players who cry out 'Oh my God' after a foul or cross themselves before and after each game will have to pay royalties to the Vatican."

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