Assaulting referees in Italy could lead to prison time

In Italy, those who violently abuse match officials could receive a time prison sentence.

On Friday, the Italian government made a change to its penal code to give match officials the same legal protection as police and other government officials.

As a result of the law change, who increased the number of referee assault cases, could face much harsher penalties for beating, punching, or threatening match officials.

“Sport is sharing and loyalty. According to junior justice minister Andrea Ostellari, those who don’t accept it are warned that violent behavior and aggression toward referees will be punished immediately and even be sent to prison.

Since December, the government has been in contact with the ISRA (Italians Soccer Referees Association).

In protest of the increase in abuse that Serie A referees in that month wore black smudges on their cheeks during matches to highlight the situation.

Referee Diego Alfonzetti, 19, was attacked last year in a youth game in Sicily.