The Italian football federation – FIGC – have changed the procedure when it comes to suspending matches where racist abuse is prevalent news agency ANSA report.
The FIGC met today and decided that rather than three calls, only two calls will now be required for a match to be suspended. At the first call, the referee will take the two teams in to the centre of the pitch. Should the chants persist, the second call will see the referee remove the teams from the field.
The changes to the legislation come following a bout of racist incidents in Italian grounds in recent weeks, most notable during Inter versus Napoli on boxing day.
A portion of Inter’s support subjected Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly to racist abuse and as a punishment they were hit with a two game full stadium ban and a partial closure for the game thereafter. However, following talks with the relevant authorities, Inter were able to welcome children from both their academy and local schools in to the most recent home game against Sassuolo.
