Italian men’s water polo team suspended for six months after Olympic incident

Amazing at water polo. The Italian men’s national team was suspended for six months by the Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) for violating Article 5 of the World Aquatics Integrity Code during the recent Paris 2024 Olympic Games. According to the AQIU’s decision, a serious incident occurred after the quarter-final match against Hungary, on August 7th. In a game lost on penalties, Settebello vehemently protested against a disallowed goal and a highly questionable expulsion. At the end of the match, for which the Italians also appealed (later rejected) to arbitration, some players and coach Sandro Campagna allegedly physically and verbally attacked the refereeing body in the parking lot while the Italian bus was preparing to return to the Olympics. village. Water polo, national team goalkeeper Caterina Banchelli retires at 23: ‘I want to study’ Hence the six-month suspension, decided by the AQIU, a sanction that therefore includes exclusion from the next World Cup. In addition, the Italian team faces a fine of US$100,000, of which US$50,000 must be paid within 90 days of the decision. The remaining $50,000 will be suspended and will only come into effect if the team commits another violation of the Code before October 17, 2026. The suspension will not prevent Settebello from participating in the Water Polo World Championships next July. The Italian Swimming Federation will not appeal.