Italy will ban the allocation of the number 88 shirt to football players, the Interior Minister announced today, Matteo Piantedosiby signing a declaration of intent with measures against anti-Semitism in stadiums.
He ’88’ is the number neo-Nazis use as a motto because is equivalent to shouting “Heil, Hitler”, because “H” is the eighth letter of the alphabet.
The document was signed by educationof the Minister of Sports and Youth, andrea abodiof the national coordinator for the fight against antisemitism, Giuseppe Pecoraroand the president of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina.
It is a text of “great symbolic value” that also includes concrete steps to “begin a holy path against discrimination in sport, based on anti-Semitism.”
“There’s a lot to do in the world of sport,” he said. Piantedosi.
Abode He affirmed that “the contents included in this declaration of intent – he said – provide us not only morally but also for the leap in the quality of culture that we want to do”.
In the declaration, the political and sports world pledges to “not assign the players the 88 shirt”. Also, fans are “prohibited to use any symbols that may evoke Nazism and anti-Semitism”, to “hold club members responsible for discriminatory language” and “determine how matches can be interrupted” in the event of of discriminatory choirs.
The intention is to stop the racist and anti-Semitic chants often heard at some parties, such as those chanted in March of Lazio ultras at the Olimpico in Rome.
The president of the Italian Jewish Communities, Naomi Di Segni, I appreciate the initiative for its “speed and concreteness” and because it will make Italy “an example at the international level”.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
