Italian Water Polo team banned from all Aquatic events
The Italian men’s water polo team will miss next year’s World Cup after being banned “from taking part in any World Aquatics competitions and events” for six months by the adjudicatory body of the Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) for abusing referees and officials at the Paris Olympics.
The incident, which occurred after Italy’s quarter-final loss to Hungary at the Games, is a violation of Article 5 of the World Aquatics Integrity Code, according to the AQIU, which also imposed a fine of $50,000 (£41,500) as part of the sanction.
AGGRESSIVE CONDUCT In that match on August 7, Italy had a goal disallowed due to a “violent action” following a VAR review – a decision their coach Alessandro Campagna protested against in “a very aggressive and unsportsmanlike manner” – and Hungary secured a 12-10 victory following a penalty shootout (regular time ended 9-9).
After the game, the Italian team filed a protest with the referees, but it was rejected. And this led to Campagna and his players verbally and physically abusing referees and World Aquatics delegates and officials in the venue’s parking lot.
THREAT The AQIU explained in its 10-page verdict that Campagna threatened the referees, saying: “What do you know for water polo? You are from Montenegro… Your career as a referee is finished.”
The Italian team also protested the VAR decision the next day before their classification match against Spain. “As so required in the rules, the team did not go to the Call Room before the classification game and turned their backs to the officials and to the official table during the national anthems,” the AQIU said.
APOLOGY LETTER The team was formally charged by the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer of the AQIU on August 23 and on September 9 they admitted the allegations and attached an apology letter from Campagna. Article five of the World Aquatics integrity code prohibits violent or disrespectful behaviour as well as interference, disobedience or obstruction to the orderly conduct of an event.
After their suspension ends in April 2025, the 2023 World Cup silver medallists team will be eligible to compete in the World Aquatics Championships set to take place in Singapore from July 11 to August 3.
