All Italian soccer matches were suspended on Friday after a 38-year-old policeman was killed when violence flared during and after the Serie A match between bitter Sicilian rivals Catania and Palermo.
The policeman was named as Filippo Raciti, and another officer was believed to be seriously injured.
Hundreds of people were hurt as fighting continued after the game.
As a result of the tragedy, the Italian soccer federation announced that all matches, professional and amateur, scheduled for this weekend would be canceled and that the suspension was likely to be indefinite.
Next week's friendly international between Italy, the World Cup winners, and Romania in Siena was also called off.
The federation's chief Luca Pancalli said that the suspension of the matches could last longer and the matter will be discussed next week.
"One day is not sufficient," said Pancalli. "Without drastic measures, we can't play again."
"We will immediately set up a commission to discuss the situation between sport and politics. It's not possible to carry on like this. If this is football, then I'm stopping everything," he said.
He said that he would meet with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi tomorrow.
"Football in Italy must stop and take stock. Enough is enough," said Pancalli.
"I cannot find the words to describe a 38-year-old man who lost his life in such a way. All the football authorities I spoke to agreed that we had to stop everything. This is completely unacceptable," he said.
Sergio Campana, the head of the players association in Italy, demanded a longer suspension.
"I think that faced with these events, football should stop for a year and see if we can change our whole approach to sport," he said.
Raciti was hit in the face by a homemade bomb thrown from the crowd.
He died at the Garibaldi Hospital in Catania.
Palermo won the game 2-1 but the highly-charged Sicilian derby was overshadowed by the violence.
Later Friday, nine Catania fans including four minors, were arrested, reported the ANSA news agency.
However, none were believed to be in connection with the death of Raciti.
Friday's game had already been brought forward because of fears over public safety. But even an early kick-off did nothing to quell the unrest.
The game was suspended after an hour when tear gas, used by police to halt the trouble, drifted onto the field.
Adding to the problems was the fact that Palermo supporters were unable to get into the Stadio Massimino until the second half.
Palermo took the lead after 55 minutes when Andrea Caracciolo scored from a pass from Mark Bresciano.
The goal coincided with the arrival of the Palermo fans. It was also the cue for the trouble to start.
Reports claimed that fireworks were lobbed into the area where the Palermo supporters were sitting. They fought back and tear gas made it impossible for play to continue.
The two teams fled the pitch for the dressing room with the game suspended for 30 minutes.
Within 60 seconds of the restart, Catania equalized through Fabio Caserta.
Palermo's winning goal in the 83rd minute was controversial with David di Michele finding the back of the net although Catania claimed the ball came off the striker's arm.
Catania president Antonio Pulvirenti blamed Palermo fans for the violence.
"Clearly the incidents were provoked by the Palermo fans when they entered the stadium," he said.
"Before then, nothing had happened, but they started causing trouble and, as the images show, threw tear gas on to the pitch," he added.
Ironically, Friday's match was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of the director of an amateur team who died the previous Saturday following crowd trouble at the end of a match against their local rivals.
Prodi warned that football in the country needed radical surgery if it was to stop the violence.
"My first thoughts are for the people affected by the violence and their families," said Prodi, who backed the decision by the Italian football authorities to call off matches.
"It is the right signal and is necessary to avoid the degeneration of the sport," he said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely