Rome: Referees in Italy will now receive the same legal protection as police officers and other public officials, Sports Minister Andrea Abodi announced. This landmark move is aimed at curbing the increasing cases of assaults in sports, especially soccer.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the recent change to the penal code will enforce much tougher penalties, including potential jail time, for acts of violence against match officials. These acts encompass pushing, hitting, or threatening referees. The decision follows prolonged discussions between the government and the Italian Soccer Referees Association, highlighting the urgent need to protect match officials.
The law, part of a decree approved by the Italian government, extends protection to all officials responsible for ensuring the fairness of sporting events. Abuse towards match officials at various levels of Italian soccer has been a growing concern, prompting this legislative action.
In a symbolic protest last December, Serie A referees drew attention to the issue by wearing black smudges on their cheeks during matches. A notable incident involved 19-year-old referee Diego Alfonzetti, who was attacked while officiating a youth match in Sicily. As an act of solidarity, Alfonzetti was invited onto the pitch alongside match officials before the Lazio-Rome Serie A derby in April.
Senator Andrea Ostellari, a junior justice minister, emphasized the seriousness of this new law by stating, “Sport is loyalty and sharing. Those who do not accept it are warned: from tomorrow violent behaviour and aggression against referees will be punished without delay, even with prison.”