A 37-year-old footballer from the San Fidenzio di Polverara team in Padova, Italy, has been issued a five-year Daspo, a measure that bans individuals from sports venues. The order was made by the Questore (police commissioner) of Padova, Marco Odorisio, following an incident that occurred on May 18.
During a second-category football match against the Due Stelle team, the player reportedly threatened and insulted the 25-year-old referee before physically assaulting him with a headbutt to the nose. This act forced the suspension of the game. The incident happened shortly after the referee had shown the player a red card in second-half stoppage time for kicking an opponent`s ankle.
Following the headbutt, the player`s aggressive behaviour continued. Upon returning to the changing rooms, he allegedly approached again and issued threats towards the entire refereeing team. He was eventually restrained by some of his teammates and the president of the Venice section of the Italian Referees Association (Aia), who had arrived to provide support. The referee sustained a fractured nose as a result of the headbutt, an injury expected to require 15 days for recovery.
Separately from the administrative ban, the sports judge had already imposed a five-year disqualification on the player from participating in matches. Furthermore, the Questore instructed the Digos unit (an Italian police division dealing with sensitive investigations) to conduct additional investigations to determine further administrative and criminal measures. Consequently, the 37-year-old has been reported to the Public Prosecutor`s Office in Padova and faces potential charges including aggravated assault and threats, as well as violating regulations regarding the orderly conduct of sports events.
The comprehensive Daspo adopted against him stipulates that for the next five years, the player is prohibited from attending any sports events held at any venue, involving any sports club, series, or category, whether in Italy or internationally.