Italian Police officer dies as Italian fans riot

An Italian policeman was killed as violence flared during and after the Serie A match between bitter Sicilian rivals Catania and Palermo, local media have reported.

The ANSA news agency said that the officer was 38-years-old. Another policeman was believed to be seriously injured.

As a result of the tragedy, the Italian football federation (FIGC) announced that all professional matches scheduled for this weekend would be cancelled and hinted that the suspension could be extended.

It is understood that the officer was hit in the face by a homemade bomb thrown from the crowd.

He died at the Garibaldi Hospital in Catania.

Palermo won the game 2-1 but the highly-charged Sicilian derby was overshadowed by the violence.

Catania director Pietro Lo Monaco confirmed the news of the policeman's death.

"We've been told by our security services from the hospital that a police officer has died as a result of the crowd trouble," Monaco told reporters.

"I have loved football my whole life and I no longer recognise myself in this sport. With this news, I will leave football, it's not for me any more."

The match had already been brought forward to Friday (local time) because of fears over public safety.

But even an early kick-off did nothing to quell the unrest.

The game was suspended after an hour when tear gas, used by police to halt the trouble, drifted onto the field.

Adding to the problems was the fact that Palermo supporters were unable to get into the Stadio Massimino until the second half.

Palermo took the lead after 55 minutes when Andrea Caracciolo scored from a pass from Socceroo Mark Bresciano.

The goal coincided with the arrival of the Palermo fans. It was also the cue for the trouble to start.

Reports claimed that fireworks were lobbed into the area where the Palermo supporters were sitting. They fought back and tear gas made it impossible for play to continue.

The two teams fled the pitch for the dressing room with the game suspended for 30 minutes.

Within 60 seconds of the restart, Catania equalised through Fabio Caserta.

Palermo's winning goal in the 83rd minute was controversial with David di Michele finding the back of the net although Catania claimed the ball came off the striker's arm.

Atfer the match, fans continued to fight running battles with police on the streets outside the stadium.

Around 100 people were being treated for injuries.

Catania president Antonio Pulvirenti blamed Palermo fans for the violence.

"Clearly the incidents were provoked by the Palermo fans when they entered the stadium," he said.

"Before then, nothing had happened, but they started causing trouble and as the images show threw tear gas on to the pitch."

Ironically, Friday's match had been preceded by a minute's silence in memory of Ermanno Licursi, a director of amateur team Sanmartinese who died last Saturday following crowd trouble at the end of their match against Calabrian rivals Cancellese.

World Cup winners Italy's proposed friendly with Romania in Siena next Wednesday has been called off as a result of Friday's incidents.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• italy
• italian
• italia
• police
• officer
• fans
• riot
• champions
• catania
• palermo
• seria
• Sicilian

[ssssroryssss2]

Depends which country you live in. I live in England and most cops are very nice compared to the cunts thats they have to put up with.

[smclean27]

What a bunch of idiots who posted negative comments towards the dead cop! What if he was part of your family? Or has none of your family worked before? He's only doing a job you pathetic scum! You are all what's wrong with the world today! Your pathetic - I feel sorry for your children!

[95sconosciuto]

fuck in italy police have killed a boy becouse he was comunist fuck fascist police!!!!

ACAB from rome!

[Rao665]

@jlmorrow33

"Die everyday from Police Brutatlity, they have killed a marine, "

Mother Fucker, Do you know HOW MANY FUCKING EX-MARINES ARE IN THE POLICE FORCE? And calling me Officer Rao665 is that suppose to be an insult? I'm not even a cop man. Do you know a Marine who JUST GOT BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN was killed in San Diego? He was sitting in his PD patrol car when it happened. Don't try to divide Marines and Policemen...the fuck you know about Marines anyways?

[jlmorrow33]

@Rao665 OK OFFICER Rao665 People Die everyday from Police Brutatlity, they have killed a marine, a deaf wood carver, a schizophrenic, and and autistic boy and thats just a few i named in the last few months, get your head out of the sand AND WAKE UP!!

[Rao665]

@ste7en43

dead pretentious englishmen. love it boo fucking hoo.

[Rao665]

@jlmorrow33

rights? what the fuck are you talking about? People took that man's right to live. That's what happened. You talking about a fucking sports game.

[jlmorrow33]

WHAT DO THEY THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN , PEOPLE WILL DIE WHEN YOU TRY TO TAKE THEIR RIGHTS< ON BOTH SIDES it is going to get worse.

[ketoras]

R.I.P

[Kirbyarsenal]

Oh well , italian poice are wankers , think they are hard with the battons and riot shields when english fans come to town , well burn in hell dick head :D

[JamJunction]

i lol'd