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Italy buries football riot victim Italy buries football riot victim
(about 2 hours later)
The funeral of an Italian policeman killed during a violent riot between football fans on Friday is due to take place in the Sicilian city of Catania. The funeral of an Italian policeman killed during a violent riot between football fans on Friday is taking place in the Sicilian city of Catania.
All matches were immediately suspended after the death of Filippo Raciti, who died after being hit by a blunt object.All matches were immediately suspended after the death of Filippo Raciti, who died after being hit by a blunt object.
In Rome, the sports minister is meeting with senior football federation and Olympic committee officials. In Rome, the sports minister is meeting senior football and Olympic officials to discuss the future of the game.
Italy's interior minister warned of an "extraordinary response" to the unprecedented levels of violence.Italy's interior minister warned of an "extraordinary response" to the unprecedented levels of violence.
"The fans are risking the possibility of never seeing football again - of being without football forever, with stadiums empty and barred," Giuliano Amato told La Repubblica newspaper."The fans are risking the possibility of never seeing football again - of being without football forever, with stadiums empty and barred," Giuliano Amato told La Repubblica newspaper.
Mr Amato will be at the funeral, which will be conducted by the archbishop. Crowds gathered in the central square of the Sicilian city of Catania, clapping as the coffin was carried into the cathedral, where the service is being conducted by the archbishop.
In a message from the Vatican, Pope Benedict condemned Friday's violence as a stain on the world of football.
'Unacceptable death''Unacceptable death'
Overnight, hundreds of people paid their respects to the 38-year-old policeman, visiting his coffin at the police station in the Sicilian city of Catania. Overnight, hundreds of people paid their respects to the 38-year-old policeman, visiting his coffin at the police station.
Although initially believed to have died when a homemade bomb was hurled into his vehicle, an autopsy revealed he died of injuries sustained earlier when he was hit by a blunt object.Although initially believed to have died when a homemade bomb was hurled into his vehicle, an autopsy revealed he died of injuries sustained earlier when he was hit by a blunt object.
In a letter written to policeman's family, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said it was "unacceptable that someone should die while carrying out their duty."In a letter written to policeman's family, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said it was "unacceptable that someone should die while carrying out their duty."
His funeral, due to take place at 1100GMT, will be carried live on Italian television.
On Sunday, the president of the Olympic committee said that football clubs that did not respect increased security measures - including closed-circuit television cameras and turnstiles - would not be allowed to host matches.On Sunday, the president of the Olympic committee said that football clubs that did not respect increased security measures - including closed-circuit television cameras and turnstiles - would not be allowed to host matches.
Sports authorities are mulling options including banning matches from stadiums which do not meet recently introduced security criteria.Sports authorities are mulling options including banning matches from stadiums which do not meet recently introduced security criteria.
Those that fail to meet the standards will be forced to close to the public and matches will be played behind closed doors.Those that fail to meet the standards will be forced to close to the public and matches will be played behind closed doors.
The BBC's Christian Fraser, in Rome, says that as many stadiums are owned by local councils, rather than football clubs, few have been prepared to foot the bill for security improvements.The BBC's Christian Fraser, in Rome, says that as many stadiums are owned by local councils, rather than football clubs, few have been prepared to foot the bill for security improvements.