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Serie A referees wore black smudge on their cheeks in December in protest at an increase in abuse suffered by officials Those who commit acts of violence against match officials in Italy could now be sentenced to time in prison. The Italian government modified its penal code on Friday to give match officials the same legal protection as police officers and other public officials. The law change, which followed a rise in cases of assault against referees, means perpetrators could face much tougher penalties for pushing, hitting or threatening match officials. "Sport is loyalty and sharing. Those who do not accept it are warned: from tomorrow violent behaviour and aggression against referees will be punished without delay, even with prison, " said junior justice minister Andrea Ostellari. The government has been in talks with the Italian Soccer Referees Association (ISRA) since December. That month Serie A referees highlighted the increase in abuse they were being subjected to by wearing black smudges on their cheeks during matches in protest. 19-year-old referee Diego Alfonzetti was attacked last season during a youth match in Sicily. The teenage official was invited on to the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico for the derby between Lazio and Roma in March alongside the day's match officials in a show of solidarity. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Pope makes gutsy century before Bumrah late show U21 Euros quarter-final: Mc Atee and Elliott goals see England lead Spain 'I always practise that' - Bellingham fuels Jude comparisons with first Dortmund goal The man who unknowingly became a reality TV star in Japan Sophie Gravia and Christine Mc Guinness discuss dating stories An outrageous comedy about high school seniors The rise and fall of FHM, the UK's best-selling men's magazine £200m written off - lessons Everton must learn in pivotal summer Five talking points from the Lions' loss to Argentina 'Like talking to Andy Murray' - impressionist quizzes tennis stars. Video'Like talking to Andy Murray' - impressionist quizzes tennis stars Vaughan 'staggered' by England decision to bowl Jaiswal & Gill star as India dominate England on day one. Video Jaiswal & Gill star as India dominate England on day one Have the Club World Cup's innovations been good or bad? 'Liverpool one of world's top-three teams - choosing them was easy' Video'Liverpool one of world's top-three teams - choosing them was easy' The next Vettel or Verstappen? Meet Fionn Mc Laughlin More than 400, 000 empty seats at Club World Cup so far Napoli 'smell blood' & target Premier League's discarded stars The mind behind cricket's Hundred on his 'Prem' relaunch 'Judged on one night' - the cost of defeat in boxing How a mountain changed Wales' mindset as they seek Euro highs 'Hope you get cancer' - Boulter shares her online abuse with BBC 'Horrifying' - BBC Sport's Croft on online abuse in tennis. Video'Horrifying' - BBC Sport's Croft on online abuse in tennis 'The tumult in the Ingebrigtsen fairytale was never far from the surface' F1 Q&A: Should Mc Laren have allowed Norris to pass team-mate Piastri? Ask Me Anything, the BBC Sport service designed to serve you Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.