The Italian parliament has moved to ban the no.88 shirt from being worn in football due to its neo-Nazi connotations.
The minister for sport and youth, and the minister for the interior have signed a declaration of intent to ban the shirt number as part of a fight against antisemitism.
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As part of a document that looks to make various commitments to help stop anti-semitism, one of them will prohibit clubs from assigning the no.88 shirt.
The number has been used by neo-Nazi groups to symbolise ‘Heil Hitler’ with the letter H being the eighth number of the alphabet.
The minister of the interior, Matteo Piantedosi, said in a statement: “With this document the reference to the international definition of antisemitism is implemented.
“Thus, there is the prohibition of the use of symbols reminiscent of Nazism by fans, the obligation for members to use non-discriminatory language at all public events and the definition of the methods for the suspension of matches in case of incidents of discrimination.
“The proactive attitude of the clubs in this area will also be positively assessed.”
The rule will span Serie A and all lower leagues, stopping a number that has previously been worn by Gianluigi Buffon while at Parma.
Gokhan Inler and Hernanes have all also worn the number during their time in Italy, while Atalanta’s Mario Pasalic will have to pick a new shirt before the start of the season.
Italy and Juventus great Buffon changed his number while at Parma in 2000, saying: “I am ready to change numbers if that will help. I didn’t know the hidden meaning of 88.”
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In March this year, a Lazio fan was banned from the Stadio Olympico for life after he was photographed wearing an 88 shirt with the name ‘Hitlerson’ on the back during the Rome derby.
New laws would prohibit Lazio from printing such a shirt, and the club also banned two other supporters after the game for performing fascist salutes in the stands.
In a similarly sickening episode in 2017, Lazio were fined £43,520 for stickers at the Rome derby which showed holocaust victim Anne Frank and the words: ‘Roma fans are Jews’.
