Catania ready for funeral
The funeral of the Italian police officer killed during the violent riot between football fans in Sicily on Friday is due to take place in the city of Catania today.
All matches were immediately suspended after the death of Filippo Raciti, who died after being hit by a blunt object.
In Rome, the sports minister is meeting with senior football federation and Olympic committee officials.
Italy's Interior Minister warned of an "extraordinary response" to the unprecedented levels of violence. "The fans are risking the possibility of never seeing football again - of being without football forever, with stadiums empty and barred," Giuliano Amato told La Repubblica newspaper.
Mr Amato will be at the funeral, which will be conducted by the archbishop.
Overnight, hundreds of people paid their respects to the 38-year-old policeman, visiting his coffin at the police station in the Sicilian city of Catania.
Although initially believed to have died when a home-made bomb was hurled into his vehicle, an autopsy revealed he died of injuries sustained earlier when he was hit by a blunt object.
In a letter written to policeman's family, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said it was "unacceptable that someone should die while carrying out their duty."
His funeral, due to take place at 1100GMT, will be carried live on Italian television.
On Sunday, the president of the Olympic Committee (CONI) said that football clubs that did not respect increased security measures - including closed-circuit television cameras and turnstiles - would not be allowed to host matches.
Sports authorities are mulling options including banning matches from stadiums which do not meet recently introduced security criteria.
Those that fail to meet the standards will be forced to close to the public and matches will be played behind closed doors.
All matches were immediately suspended after the death of Filippo Raciti, who died after being hit by a blunt object.
In Rome, the sports minister is meeting with senior football federation and Olympic committee officials.
Italy's Interior Minister warned of an "extraordinary response" to the unprecedented levels of violence. "The fans are risking the possibility of never seeing football again - of being without football forever, with stadiums empty and barred," Giuliano Amato told La Repubblica newspaper.
Mr Amato will be at the funeral, which will be conducted by the archbishop.
Overnight, hundreds of people paid their respects to the 38-year-old policeman, visiting his coffin at the police station in the Sicilian city of Catania.
Although initially believed to have died when a home-made bomb was hurled into his vehicle, an autopsy revealed he died of injuries sustained earlier when he was hit by a blunt object.
In a letter written to policeman's family, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said it was "unacceptable that someone should die while carrying out their duty."
His funeral, due to take place at 1100GMT, will be carried live on Italian television.
On Sunday, the president of the Olympic Committee (CONI) said that football clubs that did not respect increased security measures - including closed-circuit television cameras and turnstiles - would not be allowed to host matches.
Sports authorities are mulling options including banning matches from stadiums which do not meet recently introduced security criteria.
Those that fail to meet the standards will be forced to close to the public and matches will be played behind closed doors.
posted by italian calcio blog at 11:31 am
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