The Italian government has amended the criminal code to provide more protection to football referees after a recent spike in incidents of assaults on referees.
The law change will see harsher penalties for those who use violence. Such as pushing, slapping or threatening referees at football matches, including immediate imprisonment.
The law, part of a decree approved by the Italian government late on Friday. Extends protection to all officials responsible for ensuring sporting fixtures are conducted fairly.
Abuse towards match officials at all levels of Italian soccer has become a growing concern. In December, Serie A referees’s highlighted the issue by wearing black smudges on their cheeks during matches as a symbol of protest.
“Sport is about honesty and เล่นบาคาร่า UFABET เว็บตรง ค่าคอมสูง sharing. If anyone does not accept these rules. I warn you that from tomorrow onwards. Any violent acts and attacks on referees will be punish immediately, including imprisonment,” said Deputy Justice Minister Andrea Ostellari.
The Italian government has been in talks with the Italian Football Referees’ Association (ISRA) since December last year. After Serie A referees’s protested by wearing black makeup during matches to draw attention to the issue of harassment and abuse.
A tragic incident of violence occurred when 19-year-old referee Diego Alfonsetti was attacked during a youth match in Sicily last season. Before being invite to play in the derby between Lazio and Roma at the Olimpico in solidarity with the referees in March.
The new law is a major step towards protecting referees. And sends a warning about the intolerance of violence in Italian football.