Italian Footballers Association (AIC) president Sergio Campana has called for referees to suspend a game if fans hurl racial abuse at players.
Inter strikers Samuel Eto’o, a Cameroonian, and Mario Balotelli, an Italian of Ghanaian extraction, were abused by home fans during Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Cagliari and Campana said the referee should have stopped the game.
“Faced with this type of behaviour, referees should suspend the match, something which did not happen in Cagliari,” he said.
“In these cases the rules are very clear. Suspension of matches are part of the rules and rules have to be respected.”
Following Campana’s comments the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) clarified that a game can only be suspended for such an incident on the orders of the officer in charge of public order within the ground. However, Campana believes the referee should have the authority to halt the game if racist chants persist.
“I believe such a gesture (suspending a match) would be very constructive on the referee’s part and would set an important precedent,” added Campana.
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