Italy threatens to close soccer stadiums
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-12 09:49

The Italian government threatened to close some soccer stadiums Monday after 85 police officers were injured in a wave of fan violence across the country.

Weekend games in Rome, Palermo, Udine, Cava dei Tirreni and Perugia turned violent, with visiting fans battling police at some railway stations as they were led away from stadiums.

"Another Sunday like this" would lead to the stadiums affected being shut down, Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu said.

Atalanta and Chievo players observe a minute of silence to commemorate Pope John Paul II prior to the start of the Italian first division soccer match between Atalanta and Chievo at the Bergamo's stadium, Italy, Sunday, April 10, 2005. [AP]

Play resumed last weekend after a break to mourn the death of Pope John Paul II. Pisanu said the "most barbaric violence" contrasted with the civility of the huge crowd attending the pope's funeral.

Italy's police union advocated the suspension of games at stadiums with a history of violence.

Seventeen fans were arrested and 259 later identified and charged over Sunday's violence.

About 200 Livorno fans hurled objects at police and vandalized the San Pietro station on the outskirts of Rome after their team's league game against Lazio at Stadio Olimpico.

The Tuscan fans had chanted communist slogans and waved red flags during the game while groups of Lazio fans reciprocated with fascist and neo-Nazi slogans.

"It's right that fans understand that serious actions will be taken," Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni said. "We can't accept living in a country where taking children to the stadiums can be dangerous."

Elsewhere, several Messina fans were arrested, accused of hurling objects at police inside the stadium during the game with Sicilian rival Palermo.

Police arrested five people in Udine, saying they damaged the bus taking them to the station after the Udinese-Roma game.

About 40 police officers were injured at Cava dei Tirreni in southern Italy when fans rioted following a fourth-division game.

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