Soccer Extreme : There is chaos at Marassi with Serbian hooligans demolishing the stadium and injuring their own goalkeeper, but UEFA say the game will go ahead. The Euro 2012 qualifier between Italy and Serbia in Genoa might not go ahead, as the visiting fans are in the process of wrecking the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.The trouble started outside with fans hurling objects at police and the security forces. They even got in to the team bus and threw smokebombs, including their own goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic. Serbia lost 3-1 at home to Estonia on Friday and are struggling badly in qualifying.
Inside the stadium the problems deteriorated, as hooligans in ski masks climbed on top of the plexiglass walls and clinically cut the protective net with pliers.
They also threw flares and objects across to the Italian area of the stadium and on to the pitch. It's reported these are the same thugs who rioted in Belgrade last week to protest a Gay Pride parade. It took a good 20 minutes before the referee, who had come out to begin the match, walked back into the tunnel with the teams.
Riot police were called, but the Serbian fans had no intention of pulling back and set fire to flags. They have started to crack the plexiglass walls. UEFA have announced that the game will go ahead. Riot police are preparing a corridor to evacuate the calm fans, but the Serbian hooligans clearly do not want the game to be played. (football italia)
Timeline of events at Marassi:
20:50 CET: Fan trouble has caused a stand off at Marassi as Serbia Ultras cause havoc, putting the Euro 2012 qualifier with Italy at risk of being called off.
Around 2000 Serbia fans have been causing trouble since this afternoon, and unconfirmed reports claim the Serbian goalkeeper was injured when a flare was thrown into the team bus.
As things stand the game looks like it will be called off. UEFA delegates and officials are calling an emergency meeting with the Italian FA officials.
Around 100 riot police are on the pitch in the section below the Serbia fans.
The teams initially came onto the pitch, but the trouble and tension, always mounting, forced them to head back into the dressing rooms for safety reasons.
Serbia fans are showing resistance. They want conflict with the police and are instigating violent reactions.
21:00 CET:Flares are being thrown onto police who seem likely to enter the stand, but this could cause explosive tension.
Authorities are doubting the game will go ahead. Italian and Serbian police are discussing ways to deal with the trouble.
Italy fans in stand next to Serbian ultras are being moved on. Tension and stand off between police and Serbia Ultras.
Players are back on the pitch warming up, sending a message that they want to play.
However, Serbia fans have armed themselves and are starting to smash the reinforced barriers in an attempt a breaking out to fight the police.
21:12 CET: Sadly it's all heading towards unsavory scenes.
Serbia team bus driver has told Rai television that Serbia Ultras boarded team bus and threw a flare at Stoijkovic, injuring him. He is not even on the bench tonight.
Fans continue to smash glass in Marassi.
21:15 CET: Police have positioned themselves towards the emergency exit and they are planning to force the Serbia fans to leave the ground.
21:17 CET: Security people are frantically working to solve the problem. The latest from Italian commentators claim UEFA want the game to go ahead.
21:18: UEFA have confirmed the game will go ahead, according to RAI.
21:20: Dejan Stankovic to RAI: "We are trying to calm our fans, not applaud them."
21:21: Italy's head of security: "There are conditions to play. The game will go ahead."
The game finally kicked off shortly after, but six minutes into the clash two flares were thrown from the Serbia end and landed close to Italy goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, who walked away.
That incident was finally enough for referee Craig Thomson to blow his whistle and order the players to leave the pitch.
After a consultation between referee, Italy, Serbia and UEFA delegates, the Italian FA confirmed the game would be abandoned.
Italy head of security Roberto Masucci told RAI: "The game has been suspended because of a decision by the referee."
Fans have gone home. Around 1,000 have remained inside the ground. An official announcement is pending. (goal)
20:50 CET: Fan trouble has caused a stand off at Marassi as Serbia Ultras cause havoc, putting the Euro 2012 qualifier with Italy at risk of being called off.
Around 2000 Serbia fans have been causing trouble since this afternoon, and unconfirmed reports claim the Serbian goalkeeper was injured when a flare was thrown into the team bus.
As things stand the game looks like it will be called off. UEFA delegates and officials are calling an emergency meeting with the Italian FA officials.
Around 100 riot police are on the pitch in the section below the Serbia fans.
The teams initially came onto the pitch, but the trouble and tension, always mounting, forced them to head back into the dressing rooms for safety reasons.
Serbia fans are showing resistance. They want conflict with the police and are instigating violent reactions.
21:00 CET:Flares are being thrown onto police who seem likely to enter the stand, but this could cause explosive tension.
Authorities are doubting the game will go ahead. Italian and Serbian police are discussing ways to deal with the trouble.
Italy fans in stand next to Serbian ultras are being moved on. Tension and stand off between police and Serbia Ultras.
Players are back on the pitch warming up, sending a message that they want to play.
However, Serbia fans have armed themselves and are starting to smash the reinforced barriers in an attempt a breaking out to fight the police.
21:12 CET: Sadly it's all heading towards unsavory scenes.
Serbia team bus driver has told Rai television that Serbia Ultras boarded team bus and threw a flare at Stoijkovic, injuring him. He is not even on the bench tonight.
Fans continue to smash glass in Marassi.
21:15 CET: Police have positioned themselves towards the emergency exit and they are planning to force the Serbia fans to leave the ground.
21:17 CET: Security people are frantically working to solve the problem. The latest from Italian commentators claim UEFA want the game to go ahead.
21:18: UEFA have confirmed the game will go ahead, according to RAI.
21:20: Dejan Stankovic to RAI: "We are trying to calm our fans, not applaud them."
21:21: Italy's head of security: "There are conditions to play. The game will go ahead."
The game finally kicked off shortly after, but six minutes into the clash two flares were thrown from the Serbia end and landed close to Italy goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, who walked away.
That incident was finally enough for referee Craig Thomson to blow his whistle and order the players to leave the pitch.
After a consultation between referee, Italy, Serbia and UEFA delegates, the Italian FA confirmed the game would be abandoned.
Italy head of security Roberto Masucci told RAI: "The game has been suspended because of a decision by the referee."
Fans have gone home. Around 1,000 have remained inside the ground. An official announcement is pending. (goal)