On a day marked by outrage over the vandalism of a mural dedicated to Paola Egonu in Rome, the city’s prefect, Lamberto Giannini, announced that he is ready to suspend football matches in the event of racist or discriminatory banners. This decision came during a meeting of the Public Order and Security Committee, which was convened ahead of the new season and included top officials from law enforcement, the Municipality of Rome, and representatives from A.S. Roma and S.S. Lazio.
According to a statement from the Prefecture, the meeting focused on measures to prevent the display of banners that incite violence or contain discriminatory expressions, as well as any form of racism and antisemitism. The prefect emphasized that such instances need to be addressed with the utmost rigor and firmness, stating that interruptions to sporting events would be implemented if necessary.
Giannini also called upon clubs to take part in proactive measures, including specific anti-discrimination campaigns. Both Roma and Lazio expressed their agreement and commitment to promote awareness initiatives and adhere to an ethical code, showing a united front against discrimination in football.
