On 19 June, the Italian Ministers Council approved an amendment to Article 583-4 of the 'Sports Act', which referees officially recognize as 'civil servants'.
In the future, anyone who attacks a referee can imprisonment during a match up to 16 years in prison.
The amendment, approved by the Council of Ministers, equals referees (and “other staff members who sets the technical compliance with sporting events”) equal to officials. Although the proposal had been around for some time, it was the permanent advocacy of the Italian referee association (AIA) President Antonio Zappi who pushed it forward, with the support of the Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi, which ultimately led to the inclusion in sports legislation.
According to the new rules, those who commit violence against referees will experience the following fines:
• Small injuries: 2 to 5 years in prison
• Serious injuries: 4 to 10 years in prison
• Serious injuries: 8 to 16 years in prison
Aia -President Antonio Zappi said:
“I am extremely happy and moved by the approval of this historical law. Protection for referees is finally in the Penal Code;