Italian football authorities act forcefully against racism

Racial chants and intolerance at the stands may lead to match suspension

According to the new instructions of the Italian football federation the referee of the match should report to the fourth official about the fracial behavior of the fans. The information should also be passed to the public security department officer presented at the match who has the right to suspend the fixture temporally or abandon the game.

The head of the Italian football federation Giancarlo Abete approved the new rule and it is expected to come into force in the upcoming rounds of Serie A.

The meeting of the body followed last week Boateng incident when AC Milan striker left the pitch when he was abused by the fans during the friendly match against Pro Patria. The whole squad supported the player refusing to continue the game, later Boating decision was backed by the team’s head coach Massimiliano Allegri and the president Silvio Berlusconi.