Sampdoria owner Massimo Ferrero claims referees are Italian football’s ‘crown jewels’, who must be ‘supported, not intimidated’.

It comes after Lazio fans filed a class action lawsuit against Marco Di Bello and Piero Giacomelli, while envelopes containing bullets were addressed to Italian head of referees Marcello Nicchi and VAR chief Nicola Rizzoli.

Sampdoria owner Massimo Ferrero claims referees are Italian football’s ‘crown jewels’, who must be ‘supported, not intimidated’.

It comes after Lazio fans filed a class action lawsuit against Marco Di Bello and Piero Giacomelli, while envelopes containing bullets were addressed to Italian head of referees Marcello Nicchi and VAR chief Nicola Rizzoli.

“I’ve learned, with dismay and disbelief, about the threats to Nicchi and Rizzoli,” Ferrero – known for his passionate defence of match officials – told Samp’s official website.

“They and all the referees, from those at international level to those who keep the grassroots level alive, have my sincerest of solidarity.

“There’s no football without referees. How did we get to this situation? Are we in the Italy of the 1970s when people were scared to even open the mail?

“Nicchi has done well to criticise [the situation] and look into the eyes of those who have threatened the system.

“Italian football will only be represented by their referees at the World Cup: they’re our crown jewels and one of them deserves to officiate another Final.

“We must support them, not intimidate them. A referee is a judge, they can make mistakes because making mistakes is human, but they can’t be threatened like this.”

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