June 27, (THEWILL) – In an effort to combat anti-Semitism, footballers in Italy have been prohibited from wearing the number 88 on their shirts.
This initiative, coordinated by the country’s government and football federation (FIGC), aims to tackle the pervasive issue within Italian stadiums. An agreement was signed between Italy’s Interior and Sport Ministers, the coordinator in combating anti-Semitism, and FIGC chief Gabriele Gravina. The agreement also includes provisions for match interruptions in response to anti-Semitic chanting or behaviour.
The number 88 holds significance as it references the Nazi Germany slogan “Heil Hitler,” where the letter ‘h’ represents the eighth letter of the alphabet. The ban was prompted by a Lazio fan who wore a replica jersey with the name “Hitlerson” and the number 88 during a local derby with Roma in March. As a result, the Lazio fan, along with two others, received lifetime bans from attending matches.
This incident was accompanied by mass anti-Semitic chants by Lazio fans, which resulted in a suspended one-match stand closure. Lazio’s hardcore fans have been involved in numerous similar incidents, highlighting the prevalence of far-right ideologies within certain fan groups. Last season, the handler of Lazio’s eagle mascot faced suspension after performing a fascist salute, while a group of Lazio fans proudly engaged in racist chants insulting Roma supporters.
The recent ban on the number 88 serves as a firm stance against anti-Semitism, reinforcing the ongoing efforts to eradicate such behavior from Italian football.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
