"We acknowledge that there has been a rigorous interpretation of a rule that regulates discriminatory chants and we expect all of this to be applied when discriminatory behavior occurs." This is the position of Napoli's lawyer, Mattia Grassani, regarding the possibility of suspending a match following discriminatory chants. "I also say that we should intervene in a much more drastic manner because this behavior cannot enter stadiums. Years ago - Grassani recalls on Radio Marte - there was a war against pyrotechnic material, a war that was won and today nothing enters stadiums anymore. There was a war against banners and a filter has been inserted that checks every Sunday what enters stadiums: explain to me why discriminatory chants cannot be stopped. When the referee is physically hit, he suspends the match and everyone goes home. Here, this is what must be done even in the case of crude chants: suspend the match and everyone goes home”. “We hope that Atalanta-Napoli – says Grassani – is a respectful match and that the chants are only mockery. There is a complicated procedure to follow in the face of discriminatory chants and this is the result of a brainless construction because when it comes to attacks on the physical integrity of referees or players everything is very clear. It is not, however, when the incidents in the match involve the stands, the procedure is complicated”.
Article published on November 26, 2018 - 16:47
