Italian soccer league faced suspension for several weeks under a
government proposal on Monday after widespread fan violence was
sparked by the shooting of a Lazio supporter by a police officer on
Sunday.
The Italian soccer federation (FIGC) was meeting later on Monday
to decide what to do and could halt league action for the second
time in a year because of hooliganism.
"I have asked the soccer authorities if there is the possibility
of a strong gesture, in particular the suspension of the
championships for the next few weeks," Sports Minister Giovanna
Melandri was quoted by local media as saying.
Riots hit Rome on Sunday, with fans attacking a police barracks
as well as the Olympic Stadium and causing extensive damage to the
Italian Olympic Committee headquarters next door.
At least 40 police were hurt in Rome alone, officials said.
A top-flight game between Atalanta and AC Milan in Bergamo was
also abandoned after seven minutes when fans tried to break down a
glass barrier keeping them from the pitch.
(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2007)