By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
January 11 – A week after the AC Milan anti-racism walk-off led by Kevin-Prince Boateng, an Italian government watchdog has given the green light for future matches to be halted – but not by players or referees.
Italy’s watchdog for sports events, ONMS, says only public security officials should decide whether to suspend a match for racist chanting.
Boateng’s symbolic move that prompted the abandonment of the winter break friendly against Pro Patria has prompted widespread reaction. FIFA president Sepp Blatter described the midfielder’s gesture as
courageous but was not convinced it would provide a long-term solution to the problem.
The ONMS said in a statement that in future cases of racism the referee should alert the fourth official who should in turn report the incident to the public security department responsible for policing at games.
“The director of the public order service has the sole responsibility for suspending the match,” said a statement following a meeting with Italian FA officials.
“The director, in the presence of expressions of racism or intolerance, will decide in all cases on the non-continuation of the match or its suspension on a temporary basis to allow warnings to be issued to supporters over the public address system.”
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