The weekend’s Rome derby descended into chaos, leaving 24 cops injured, one particular person arrested and not less than 40,000 euros ($45,000) in harm – a lot of it from torched rubbish bins.
Authorities are nonetheless assessing the total extent of the destruction after violent clashes erupted Sunday, when followers attacked riot police in a crowded space forward of the Serie A showdown between Lazio and Roma.
“I am disgusted,” Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri mentioned. “It’s unacceptable that hooligans turn a day of sport into a battlefield.”
Some 2,000 cops have been stationed at varied flashpoints across the Stadio Olimpico and moved in when Lazio’s hard-core “ultra” followers tried to push via a restricted space.
Fans reacted by launching fireworks and different objects on the officers. Police responded with tear fuel and water cannons.
The derby was restored to an 8:45 p.m. kickoff this season after six years of earlier begin occasions to keep away from violence. Next 12 months’s matches will seemingly begin earlier once more.
Lazio and Roma each expressed solidarity with the injured officers and condemned the violence.
The sport led to a 1-1 draw.
The Rome derby has been suffering from violence for years.
In 2004, the match was suspended resulting from a false rumor that police had killed a boy outdoors the stadium.
In January, a automobile went up in flames outdoors the stadium earlier than this season’s first derby.
Source: www.dailysabah.com