Overview
- Nicola, 15, was assaulted while officiating the Under-16 Ginosa–Hellas Laterza match in Ginosa, Taranto province.
- Initial accounts say the incident occurred after the final whistle as he walked to his locker room, when a Laterza player struck him with punches and a kick.
- He was treated at the local emergency room and discharged the same evening, and Laterza’s management removed the player from the squad pending proceedings.
- AIA president Antonio Zappi voiced deep indignation, warned that the association feels effectively alone in stopping these attacks, and said further actions are being evaluated despite tougher penal-code sanctions.
- The assault follows a similar case reported days earlier in Calabria, highlighting a pattern of violence in youth football.