Those that commit acts of violence in opposition to match officers in Italy might now be sentenced to time in jail.

The Italian authorities modified its penal code on Friday to offer match officers the identical authorized safety as cops and different public officers.

The regulation change, which adopted an increase in circumstances of assault in opposition to referees, means perpetrators might face a lot harder penalties for pushing, hitting or threatening match officers.

“Sport is loyalty and sharing. Those that don’t settle for it are warned: from tomorrow violent behaviour and aggression in opposition to referees will likely be punished immediately, even with jail,” mentioned junior justice minister Andrea Ostellari.

The federal government has been in talks with the Italian Soccer Referees Affiliation (ISRA) since December.

That month Serie A referees highlighted the rise in abuse they have been being subjected to by sporting black smudges on their cheeks throughout matches in protest.

19-year-old referee Diego Alfonzetti was attacked final season throughout a youth match in Sicily.

The teenage official was invited on to the pitch on the Stadio Olimpico for the derby between Lazio and Roma in March alongside the day’s match officers in a present of solidarity.