UEFA Head of Referees Pierluigi Collina believes that players who walk off the pitch following racial abuse should not be punished.
Under current rules, those who exit the field of play of their own accord are not allowed to re-enter.
UEFA Head of Referees Pierluigi Collina believes that players who walk off the pitch following racial abuse should not be punished.
Under current rules, those who exit the field of play of their own accord are not allowed to re-enter.
But the former official has claimed that that should change, whilst also commenting on the news that Nicola Rizzoli will be the referee for the Champions League final.
“It is not right that a player, in order to assert a right to defend themselves, must leave the field for good,” he told reporters.
“If he was forced to leave the pitch [because of racial abuse] he should not be sent off.
“Racism is a problem that needs to be solved.
“Rizzoli did well at Euro 2012. It is not a surprise choice for me.”