Off to Italy for your holidays? A word to the wise: do try to refrain from accusing any new male acquaintances of having “no balls”, as it’s now a crime punishable with a fine, following a ruling by the country’s highest court.
The case, as reported by The Huffington Post, was brought to the supreme court by a lawyer named only as Vittorio against his cousin Alberto, a justice of the peace.
Apparently, naughty Alberto uttered the insult in question at Vittorio during a heated courtroom exchange in the city of Potenza.
Having weighed up the case, judge Maurizio Fumo sided firmly with Vittorio, explaining: “Apart from the vulgarity of the term used, the expression definitely has an injurious quality.
“It refers not only to the target’s lack of virility, but also to his weakness of character, lack of determination, competence and coherence – virtues that, rightly or wrongly, are still identified as pertaining to the male gender.”
But that’s not all! Because the phrase was uttered in the workplace with others present, the court ruled it could also be regarded as damaging to Vittorio’s reputation. The latest? Another judge is now making equally good use of his time by ruling on the fine Alberto should have to pay for his misdemeanour.
