An underage referee was slapped, another underage referee was threatened by the managers, coach, and player of one of the teams on the field.
Violence
Two incidents occurred on the same day last week, in two different Under-17 youth leagues and on two different islands: one in the province of Cagliari, the other in the province of Sassari. These are yet more incidents of violence that are increasingly affecting young people on football pitches.
Both resulted in disciplinary measures and suspensions by the Sports Judge: in the first case, a five-year ban and a ban for the person responsible for the physical intemperance, followed by fines and penalty points for the club; in the second, a five-month ban and suspensions for the coach and players.
In both cases, Unione Sarda is not publishing the names of those responsible, nor too many details, to prevent the victims from being identified.
In the south
In the first case, the young man suffered injuries that were deemed curable in 45 days at the hospital (where he was taken and treated). The official document summarizes the following facts: everything happened in the 49th minute of the match when the official of one of the two teams, acting as an assistant referee, was displeased with a decision and approached the referee and protested. He was cautioned, and the referee insulted him. He was sent off, and the referee slapped the minor twice and then punched him. The match was suspended, and the boy was immediately treated.
The Sports Judge ruled it an "extremely serious incident, contrary to the principles of loyalty, fairness, and integrity," committed by "an adult who should have an educational and responsible role," and which occurred in a "youth competition, which should primarily be a place of instruction in the values of sport and respect." The decisions: a five-year ban from all FIGC activities for the manager, who is also expelled from the FIGC; a €1,000 fine for him and the club; a forfeit defeat and a two-point deduction for the team.
North
The second victim is a referee who, in turn, was a minor. During a match played in the north of the island, he was threatened by a manager of the home team (also acting as a partisan assistant referee), who "physically obstructed" him in a "threatening" manner as he was walking towards the locker room and "tried to block him with a hand" on the shoulder, before subsequently insulting him "seriously." The coach of the same club insulted the young referee "with disrespectful remarks," while two players addressed him with threatening (in one case) and offensive (in the other) remarks.
Result: the manager is banned until July 31st, the coach is suspended for six matches, and the two players are suspended for five and four matches. Finally, the club will pay a €250 fine.
Andrea Manunza
