The FIGC has adjusted the rules on racist and ‘territorial’ discrimination, taking into account how many fans are behind the abuse.
Ultras had threatened to simultaneously break the rules in order to force an entire Serie A round to be played behind closed doors after Milan were handed a one-match ban, later suspended on appeal.
The FIGC has adjusted the rules on racist and ‘territorial’ discrimination, taking into account how many fans are behind the abuse.
Ultras had threatened to simultaneously break the rules in order to force an entire Serie A round to be played behind closed doors after Milan were handed a one-match ban, later suspended on appeal.
The suspension was so that the Federation would have the opportunity to discuss the proposed changes and that meeting occurred today.
A statement was released confirming a modification to the rule was “passed unanimously.”
While ‘territorial discrimination’ will continue to be punished on a par with racist abuse, the sanctions imposed on clubs will be eased in the presence of different factors.
Above all, the Disciplinary Commission will take into account how many fans were behind the insulting chants or banners, therefore only the area of the stadium where these occurred will be closed off.
“There has been no lowering of our guard on racism or territorial discrimination,” insisted FIGC President Giancarlo Abete.
“If we had done, we would’ve brought back simple fines or given a different connotation to territorial discrimination. We have not done that.”
The entire stadium could still be locked down for one game if there is a particularly serious offence involving thousands of fans, but a handful of abusers can no longer force all fans to miss matches.