© EuroFootball.com
Italian top officials are not indifferent to violence in football - Prime Minister Romano Prodi promised to take strict measures to prevent similar incidents like the one where police officer Filippo Raciti was killed after a match.
The first step towards change was taken by the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Luca Pancalli, who postponed all national team and club matches for an indefinite period. This decision immediately received support from the new UEFA president Michel Platini.
"We needed a strong signal, until we find ways to ensure prevention of such events in the future," L. Pancalli justified his decision.
On Monday, R. Prodi will meet with the Italian Minister of Sports Giovanni Melandri and the Minister of Internal Affairs Giuliano Amato. During the meeting, it is expected to reach an agreement on necessary actions to be taken and coordinate them.
"We cannot put police officers in danger," R. Prodi firmly stated to journalists.
The necessity to address the problem together - both for politicians and sports officials - was emphasized by L. Pancalli.
"This cannot continue," said the president of the Italian Football Federation.
It is still unclear what measures will be taken, but various options are already being considered. The president of the Italian Footballers Association, Sergio Campana, even suggests banning all club matches for a year.
Meanwhile, the country's Olympic Committee announced that all sports events over the weekend will begin with a minute of silence - thus honoring the deceased police officer F. Raciti.
