the police can suspend matches – Corriere.it

New anti-racism protocol in Spain. Until today, July 3, in the event of episodes of racism, or any other sexual, racial or political discrimination, the referee must decide the partial or definitive suspension of a match. All this according to the regulation imposed by Fifa five years ago, in 2017, and which the Iberian Football Federation has made its own. Now it changes.

In fact, according to the new ministerial directive – to which the Madrid political newspaper El Pais had access – it will be the command of the police force in service in the stadiums or in the arenas that will decide what to do. In Spain, only one match was suspended, that of Serie B between Rayo Vallecano and Albacete in December 2019. The reason? The home fans (tied to an extreme left ideology) had taken it out on the Albacete striker, Zozulia, a Ukrainian who had had himself photographed several times with ultra-right symbols. Conversely, due to racism, no tenders were suspended. What changed now?

The Vinicius case prompted the government to change. With the insults to the Brazilian during Valencia-Real Madrid on May 21, La Liga discovered racism. That said, according to the new protocol, the police forces present in the various gaming facilities will have more power. It will be up to them to decide whether to suspend (partially or permanently) an event, as well as the partial or total clearing of a sector or of the entire stadium or arena. Everything will be managed by the figure of the Safety Coordinator, created in 2007 with the approval of the Law against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport and which has so far remained in the shadows.