UEFA investigates Serbia violence
UEFA are to investigate the crowd trouble that led to the European qualifier between Italy and Serbia in Genoa being abandoned.
The match was called off by referee Craig Thompson after six minutes of play.
Serbian fans threw missiles at the Italian crowd and at the players when they took to the field and the referee was left with no option, but to cancel the game.
Italian goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano was not able to take up his position in goal as flares and fireworks were thrown towards him.
“It was impossible to play in that goal. I would have had to constantly turn around to avoid the fireworks. It wouldn't have been nice to get hit in the head," said Viviano.
Serbia will face punishment over the incident. UEFA have yet to meet and discuss the referee’s report, but fines, playing matches behind closed doors or disqualification from the tournament could all be possible outcomes of the violence.
UEFA spokesman Rob Faulkner did not rule out punishing Italy also and said, "Aside from the responsibility of those that provoked the incidents, UEFA rules also consider the responsibility of the federation that organises the game.”
However, Roberto Massucci, the head of security for the Italian Football Federation said, "Fans that are so dangerous should not have arrived in Genoa. They should have been stopped by the Serbian officials."
The Italian police made 17 arrests and 16 of those arrested were Serbian men.
The Serbian ambassador to Italy Sanda Raskovic-Ivic apologised to the Italian people for the behaviour of the Serbian fans.
"I and all of the Serbians are ashamed. I take this opportunity to send the apologies from the embassy, our government and our population to the Italian people for what has happened."
“What happened in Genoa was a disgrace, a nightmare," she added.
UEFA are expected to hand down heavy punishments, but it is unlikely that Serbia will be disqualified from the tournament.
At one point during the delay, Italy asked the Serbia team to walk over and try to calm down their fans. The Serbia players did so by applauding in an apparent ironic manner and held three fingers aloft in the traditional Serb victory sign.
Tags: