Referee Injured in Assault at Amateur 5‑a‑Side Football Tournament in Poggio Morello, Italy

During an evening 5‑a‑side football tournament in Poggio Morello, a frazione of Sant'Omero in the Teramo province, a referee was attacked by a player of Moroccan origin. The player, previously warned for misconduct, struck the referee from behind after the official issued a red card, causing neck injuries and a contusive trauma. The referee was taken to hospital with a prognosis of about 15 days of recovery.

The incident has revived concerns over the safety of match officials in Italy’s amateur leagues, where referees receive minimal compensation (around €20 per match) and games are often unprotected by police. It follows a similar assault on a referee in May in Corropoli, for which disciplinary action has yet to be taken, highlighting perceived impunity and prompting calls for stronger protection measures.