With the start of the 2025-2026 season, which officially kicked off on Tuesday, there are also significant changes in the refereeing sector. Both on the pitch, with referees explaining the decisions taken by the VAR to the entire stadium (and viewers on TV) , and in terms of combating violence. At the end of June, article 583-quater of the Criminal Code was amended, which effectively equated referees to public officials: this means that, in the event of violence against referees, there will be much more severe penalties. Andrea Melis, president of the Aia section of Cagliari since 2021, had participated in the General States of Sport in Rome at the beginning of May (before the change) with a speech on this topic: for the Sardinian manager, originally from Monastir, this is a real turning point.
President Melis, how do you judge the results that have been achieved in combating violence against referees?
"It was no longer tolerable that so many cases of violence against referees could go unnoticed. Now anyone who commits acts of violence, even minimal ones, against referees risks the same penalties as those who attack public safety officers, including up to 16 years in prison. I had the great opportunity to present such a central issue, also with the help of videos, in front of Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani and many parliamentarians. I believe the change was essential, not only to protect referees but also for all those involved: footballers, managers, club presidents and coaches, who do so much to advance one of the most beloved sports, football. Many of them told me: "Finally, things are changing"".
How did we get to this point?
"National politics has declared itself "present", thanks to a great work of intent. But above all thanks to our national president Antonio Zappi, who has carried out a great incessant work of meetings and discussions starting from the very first day he was elected, in particular with the Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi and with many other parliamentarians who believed that this important page of history could finally be written".
As for the Aia section of Cagliari, what initiatives do you have planned? Two have recently taken place.
"Two very important events for our section have concluded. The first is the 95th anniversary of its foundation, with an event that saw the participation of the member of the national committee Valentina Finzi, the president of Coni Sardinia Bruno Perra, of the Regional Committee Sardinia Gianni Cadoni and of Cra Sardinia Roberto Branciforte. In this event we awarded Marta Bonaria Atzori as the only observer to have watched 97 Serie A matches, and the only international observer still active. With her Piergiuseppe Farneti, the only Sardinian assistant referee to have directed a Champions League final, Giuseppe Buluggiu the only futsal referee to have directed a World Cup match and finally Giuseppe Collu, the first referee from the Cagliari section to have directed matches in Serie A. The next day we held the second event, which was the fourth Memorial Claudio Deiana. It saw about 300 Sardinian referees from all the Sardinian sections compete in a men's 8-a-side football tournament, women's 5-a-side football and a foot race".
The season just ended saw many matches at all levels, from Serie A down. What are the numbers?
«As always, our season at the OTS level has been truly challenging. We managed to appoint 2,402 matches divided between 11-a-side football and futsal, appointing mostly increasingly younger referees, almost all of them under 18, but prepared and motivated. I am happy with the changes that have taken place of Valeria Spizuoco as assistant in Can C and Fabio Loni in Can 5 Elite. I would like to congratulate all the members for the well-deserved confirmations in the national roles. Thanks also to those who will leave the national roles, but who have carried the name of our section and Sardinia in these years».
How will the work of the section be structured in 2025-2026?
"Our work will always be structured in the same way. Without upheavals we will start with the start of season meetings, where all the referees can learn the new start of season provisions and take the usual technical and athletic quizzes. Then, during the year, a lot of training work with technical meetings and training at the athletic center. As I always say, work pays off and our referees are aware that only with effort and commitment will the results come. Obviously there will be no lack of knowledge and promotion activities for the referee course in the schools of the province, in the companies with double membership, this with the intent of ensuring young people current information on this great opportunity for human and sporting growth. I would like to point out that in Sardinia there are nine referee sections: in addition to that of Cagliari, which I am honored to represent, those of Carbonia, Oristano, Ozieri, Sassari, Olbia, Tortolì, Nuoro and Alghero. And anyone who wants to take the path to enroll in the course can fill out the form on the AIA website, which will direct them to the nearest section."