Pope condemns violence as "stain" on football

Pope Benedict today condemned violence that "stains the world of football", after an Italian police officer was killed by rioting fans in the Sicilian derby on Friday, and urged sporting authorities to restore order.

The Pope, in a message of condolence sent by the Vatican secretary of state to the widow of Filippo Raciti, expressed his "firm condemnation for any act of violence that stains the world of soccer".

Source: Reuters