Two 7-a-side amateur football clubs in Reggio Emilia received 20-euro fines from the Centro Sportivo Italiano for submitting match rosters containing a player wearing jersey number 88, which is considered a symbol of Nazism, the Gazzetta di Reggio reported.
The Disciplinary Rulings and Fines Issued by Sport Authorities
The sports judge for the Reggio Emilia division of the Centro Sportivo Italiano issued the financial penalties to The Mount Peli and Masone Suave City. According to disciplinary notices published on October 14, the governing body penalized both clubs for listing an athlete with a prohibited number on their weekend team sheets. The 20-euro fines are classified as first-offense penalties and will be deducted from the clubs’ seasonal costs.
Broader Regulatory Bans on Jersey Number 88 Across Italian Football
The disciplinary actions enforce a ban established in June 2023. The Italian Ministry of the Interior, under Minister Matteo Piantedosi, joined with the Minister for Sport, Andrea Abodi, and the Figc to sign a protocol of intent aimed at eliminating antisemitism from the world of football. That protocol specifically prohibited players from wearing the number 88, which for neo-Nazi groups is a reference to Hitler. While professional leagues employ dedicated personnel to monitor these dynamics, amateur organizations frequently rely on volunteers who remain unfamiliar with the rules.
Club Reactions, Confusion, and Subsequent Roster Changes
Club officials expressed surprise and dismay upon receiving the fines. An initial sanction against a third local team, As Ominset, was ultimately corrected. Representatives for the penalized organizations admitted to a lack of awareness regarding the restriction. A club official told the Gazzetta di Reggio that the jersey had been used without malicious intent, stating that he accepted responsibility while emphasizing that the reference was absolutely not to Nazism. Meanwhile, a team coach noted that the affected player felt distressed and chose to withdraw from subsequent fixtures.
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