Italian football on hold after policeman dies
Saturday, 03 Feb 2007 12:57
All of this weekend's Serie A and B games have been cancelled
All domestic and international Italian football fixtures have been indefinitely cancelled after the death of a policeman at a match last night.
Filippo Raciti, 38, was killed after being hit in the face by a small explosive as fighting broke out during Palermo's 2-1 win over archrivals Catania in Serie A.
The game was suspended after an hour when tear gas used by policeman drifted onto the field.
Both sides fled the pitch and the Sicilian derby was held up for 30 minutes.
Rival fans also fought outside the ground as Palermo supporters could not get into Catania's Stadio Massimino until the second half.
Catania club executive Pietro Lo Monaco announced that he would quit football after hearing the news about the policeman.
"I've heard that a policeman has died," Lo Monaco said.
"To speak of football right now seems useless. For me this is the end. I will leave the football world.
"I don't recognise myself in this world anymore. I have loved football intensely but after this right now it seems absurd," he added.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has called off all of the Serie A and Serie B games this weekend, as well as the national team's midweek friendly with Romania, while Catania prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the incident.
The game had kicked off early on Friday evening because of fears over public safety.