Italy Introduces Prison Sentences for Violence Against Referees

Match Officials Now Protected Under Same Law as Police Officers
Individuals who assault or threaten referees in Italy may now face jail time, following a significant change to the country’s legal code. The Italian government announced on Friday that it has amended its penal code to afford match officials the same protections as police officers and other public servants.

The reform comes in response to a growing number of violent incidents targeting referees at various levels of the game. Under the new legislation, acts such as physical assault or verbal threats directed at officials could result in severe legal consequences, including imprisonment.

“Sport is built on fairness and unity,” said Andrea Ostellari, Italy’s junior justice minister. “From now on, any form of aggression or violence against referees will be dealt with swiftly — even with jail time.”

Government Acts Following Surge in Referee Abuse
Discussions between the government and the Italian Soccer Referees Association (ISRA) began in December, after officials raised concerns about escalating abuse. During that time, referees in Serie A drew attention to the issue by marking their faces with black smudges in a silent protest during matches.

One high-profile case that brought national attention involved 19-year-old referee Diego Alfonzetti, who was physically attacked while officiating a youth game in Sicily last season. In a public gesture of support, Alfonzetti was later welcomed onto the pitch at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico during the Lazio-Roma derby in March, standing alongside the match officials before kickoff.

The legal update is part of a broader effort by Italian authorities to protect the integrity of sports and ensure the safety of those responsible for enforcing the rules.