ITALY : The Italian government announced the legal reform on Friday, following a surge in attacks and threats against referees across the country. The change grants match officials the same legal protections as police officers and other public servants, significantly increasing penalties for those who physically or verbally assault them during games.
Sport is loyalty and sharing and fhose who do not accept it are warned: from tomorrow, violent behaviour and aggression against referees will be punished without delay, even with prison, emphasized Andrea Ostellari, Italy’s junior justice minister.
The decision comes after months of dialogue with the Italian Soccer Referees Association (ISRA), sparked by growing concerns over referee safety. Talks intensified after a series of high-profile incidents, including the assault of 19-year-old referee Diego Alfonzetti during a youth match in Sicily last season.
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The gravity of the situation was further highlighted in December, when Serie A referees wore black smudges on their cheeks during matches in protest against the abuse. In a powerful act of solidarity, Alfonzetti was later invited onto the pitch during the Rome derby at the Stadio Olimpico in March, standing alongside senior officials.
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