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The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/paranoid30 on 2026-03-22 14:34:22+00:00.
Original Title: Coach of 9th level Italian team diguised himself as a priest in order to attend a match for which he was banned. He then proceeds to enter the pitch to kick an opponent and celebrate a goal, gets suspended for 4 months.
If it weren’t all true, it would almost make you smile. Just imagine: a first-team official shows up at the sports field in priestly attire and takes up a position right next to the fence, because he’s serving a suspension and can’t go on the bench. So far, it would be almost normal; the story’s ending can be found in FIGC press release number 409 following the Federal Prosecutor’s Office’s investigation.
The reference is to the Asd Galgagnano-Asd Union Mulazzano match, valid for the Third Category championship (Lodi delegation) played last October 26: “Matteo Ciceri , UEFA B coach (of Union Mulazzano, ed.), gathered his players before the start of the match in an area adjacent to the sports facility to announce the lineup, and gave, during the match, technical-tactical instructions to his team by positioning himself on a ladder wearing a cassock.
In the 37th minute of the second half, after the opposing team had scored a goal, he entered the playing enclosure and kicked an opposing player. Then in the 48th minute of the second half, after a goal by his team, he entered the playing enclosure again celebrating with his players and insulting the opposing ones, despite being barred from directing the team and accessing the pitch (until 24 November 2025, (ed.)”.
Yesterday he was punished with a four-month ban (and the team’s president received a two months one, in addition to a 500€ fine).
It’s true, clothes don’t make the man.