Italy's qualifier against Serbia is abandoned after visiting fans wreak havoc in Genoa

By IAN LADYMAN

Pandemonium: Serbian fans (L) throw fireworks on the field before their national team's Euro 2012 qualifier match against Italy in Genova


The depressing spectre of hooliganism returned to European football when the Euro 2012 qualifier between Italy and Serbia in Genoa was halted after seven minutes because of crowd trouble.

Scottish referee Craig Thomson led the players off the field with the score at 0-0 after Serbia fans threw flares, fireworks and missiles on to the playing surface.

The trouble came after the start of the game was delayed by 45 minutes because of trouble that had built up steadily during the day.

Serbian fans had conducted running battles with Italian police as they made their way to the stadium. At one stage the Italian riot police used tear gas to bring 1600 fans under control.

Then, as the players prepared to enter the field at the Marassi Stadium, masked Serbian fans smashed a glass safety barrier with iron bars while others forced the teams back in to the tunnel by hurling flares on to the field.



Danger zone: Italy goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano attempts to avoid missiles thrown onto the pitch


Other followers of the Eastern European nation climbed on to a stadium petition and, armed with cutting tools, began to slash their way through a mesh fence.

Referee Thomson was eventually given the all-clear by UEFA officials to start the game, something that surprised many people inside the ground, but only after Italian police ringed the playing surface to protect the players.


In the line of fire: Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta (R) looks on as a firefighter collects a flare thrown by Serbia supporters at the Luigi Ferraris stadium


Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic was not in the team after he refused to play. According to reports in Serbia, he asked not to be involved after receiving threats from fans outside the team hotel earlier in the day.

There were also unconfirmed reports that some fans had managed to gain access to the bus and threaten other members of the Serb squad.


Smoke screen: A fireman extinguishes fireworks thrown by the visiting supporting causing havoc


Serbia had arrived in Italy under pressure at home after losing 3-1 at home to Estonia on Friday, the first game under new coach Vladimir Petrovic.


Tears of sorrow: Distraught Dejan Stankovic of Serbia cries after witnessing violent scenes from his nation's followers


TV footage also showed Serbia captain Dejan Stankovic applauding the away fans inside the stadium but he later said: 'We were not clapping, we were telling them to calm down.'


What a riot: Italian police stand by as they wait to control the disorderly scenes from the Serbia fans


To make matters worse, the match was meant to be played in memory of four Italian soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Saturday. Several banners around the stadium paid tribute to the soldiers and the Italian players wore black armbands.

Unfortunately, a minute’s silence meant to pay tribute to the dead servicemen had to be cut short after just five seconds.



Enough is enough: Serbian players plead with their supporters to calm their disorder


On Tuesday night it was suggested that Serbia may have to forfeit the game with Italy possibly handed a 3-0 win.



source :dailymail