Italy: Federation abolishes "with immediate effect" the concept of territorial discrimination

The concept of territorial discrimination was abolished with "immediate effect" from the Italian code of sports justice by the FIGC (Federazione Italiana di Giuoco Calcio, the Italian football federation), on 18/08/2014, at the first meeting of the federal council since the election, on 11/08/2014, of Carlo Tavecchio as president of the organisation.

Articles 11 and 12 of the code of sports justice will be modified to no longer include the concept of "abuse, insult or denigration related to territorial origin" as possible discriminatory conduct, punishable with partial stadium closures for the clubs concerned.

The concept of territorial discrimination will now be considered as "outrageous comment", with gradual sanctions, from a caution to a fine (from €3,000 to €50,000), or a match behind closed doors in the most extreme cases and recurrences. This modification of the rules aims to “avoid drastic measures", such as partial stadium closures, and to encourage "more thoughtful measures”, said Carlo Tavecchio on 18/08/2014.

• The concept of territorial discrimination was added to article…