In Italy assaulting referees could now mean prison time

In a landmark decision aimed at protecting sports officials, the Italian government has amended its penal code to equate acts of violence against match referees with assaults on police officers and other public officials. This crucial change, enacted on Friday, means that perpetrators of such acts could now face prison time for pushing, hitting, or threatening officials.

The new law comes as a direct response to a concerning rise in reported assaults against referees across Italy. Junior justice minister Andrea Ostellari underscored the seriousness of the new legislation, 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."

Discussions between the Italian government and the Italian Soccer Referees Association (ISRA) have been ongoing since December. That month, Serie A referees brought attention to the escalating abuse they faced by wearing black smudges on their cheeks during matches as a form of protest.

The issue was further highlighted by incidents such as the attack on 19-year-old referee Diego Alfonzetti during a youth match in Sicily last season. In a show of solidarity, Alfonzetti was invited onto the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico for the Rome derby between Lazio and Roma in March, standing alongside the professional match officials of the day. This new legal framework provides a stronger deterrent and aims to foster a safer environment for all who officiate sporting events in Italy.