Giorgio Chiellini

Following Inter–Juventus on 14 February 2026, Giorgio Chiellini, by then a Juventus executive, publicly described certain refereeing decisions as unacceptable. The sporting judge subsequently banned him from official duties until 27 February for challenging officials in an 'agitated and disrespectful' manner ('concitata e irriguardosa') and directing offensive criticism at them in the tunnel at half-time.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

During the pandemic, Chiellini, Juventus captain, acted as an intermediary between the players and the club in the salary agreement. Messages and his subsequent testimony showed that the players knew the public announcement would describe a waiver of four months' pay, while internal arrangements provided for the recovery of three months' pay subject to certain conditions.

State of the evidence

Documented

In his autobiography, Chiellini described Mario Balotelli as a 'negative' person with no respect for the group, and Felipe Melo as the worst teammate or a 'rotten apple'. Both players responded publicly, turning excerpts from the book into a major controversy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During Italy–Uruguay at the 2014 World Cup, Luis Suárez bit Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder. FIFA subsequently suspended the Uruguayan for nine international matches and four months from all football-related activity. Chiellini, despite being the direct victim, considered the sanction excessive and stated that he felt neither anger nor a desire for revenge.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted