Monday, January 21, 2008

Coppa Italia ban for rampaging Roma fans

AS Roma fans have been banned from attending Wednesday's Italian Cup quarter-final first leg at Sampdoria following violent incidents this weekend, Italy's anti-hooligan body said on Monday.

Three Catania fans were injured when they were stabbed in disturbances before Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in the Italian capital.The hooligan body said in a statement it had decided to intervene "in a rigorous manner against Roma fans" and was determined to act for the long term.

"A large group of Roma supporters has deliberately organised and carried out aggression," it said.

Italy is trying to crack down on a serious soccer violence problem, with Rome particularly affected.

Trouble flared in Rome in November after a Lazio fan was shot dead by police during a skirmish as fans travelled to a game at Inter Milan.Clashes with Manchester United supporters have also marred Roma games in the Champions League in the last two seasons.

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