ROME – A strong gesture, symbolic but full of meaning: theItalian Referees Association (AIA) yesterday took down its official website, replacing the homepage with an image that recalls the non-violence.
A silent but powerful protest against the umpteenth aggression suffered by a referee, which occurred in Sicily during a match of the Under 17 championship. An episode which is only the latest in a long and alarming series of violence that have affected referees throughout Italy, from Campania to Veneto, passing through Lazio and other regions.
The AIA's reaction was triggered by the attack that took place at the “Luigi Averna” stadium in Ripon, during the playoff challenge between Russian Sebastian Football e pedaraA very young referee was brutally kicked and punched, an attack as vile as it was unjustifiable, which has sparked indignation throughout the sporting world.
“This is now an unacceptable situation”, the president of the AIA firmly declared Antonio Zappi. “These unfortunate attacks on our referees, often very young boys, beaten by people who by their age could be their parents just for an offside or a penalty, must be the object of a deep reflection. It is no longer just a question of sport: it is a social problem that all of civil society must face decisively.”
Echoing him is Sandro Morgana, president of the Regional Committee of the National Amateur League, who publicly expressed his firm condemnation of what happened: “A shameful attack that takes us back, that casts a shadow over the entire Sicilian football movement right on the eve of the Regions Tournament. The referee is now home after first aid, but a deep moral wound remains”.
Morgana, who personally met the young race director, reiterated the need for clear and immediate answers: "I trust in rapid and severe measures. It is time to give a strong and unequivocal signal: sport must be a place of respect and healthy competition, never a theater of violence. Whoever attacks a referee, attacks football itself."
In the meantime, law enforcement has already started investigating the episode, acquiring videos and testimonies that could lead to the identification of those responsible. The AIA's reaction is only the beginning of a stance that aims to shake up institutions and public opinion. The message is clear, and it echoes loudly from the association's darkened homepage: “This is not football. This is not sport.”
Article published on 7 April 2025 - 16:58
It is important that the situation of violence on the playgrounds is addressed seriously, but I believe that there is also a need for deeper reflection on how to educate young people to respect referees and the rules of the game.