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Italy buries football riot victim Italy buries football riot victim
(40 minutes later)
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. The funeral of an Italian policeman killed during a violent riot between football fans on Friday has been 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. Thousands of people flooded the cathedral square and clapped as the flag-draped coffin was brought in.
The Pope condemned the post-match clashes between fans and police as a "stain on the football world."
In Rome, the sports minister is meeting senior football and Olympic officials to discuss the future of the game.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 who attended the funeral warned of an "extraordinary response" to unprecedented 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. 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."
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. The service, led by an archbishop and broadcast live on Italian television, was attended by the policeman's colleagues as well as Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri.
In a message from the Vatican, Pope Benedict condemned Friday's violence as a stain on the world of football. All matches - both domestic and international - were immediately suspended after the death of 38-year-old Filippo Raciti.
'Unacceptable death''Unacceptable death'
Overnight, hundreds of people paid their respects to the 38-year-old policeman, visiting his coffin at the police station. Overnight, hundreds of people paid their respects to the policeman, visiting his coffin at the city's 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 Mr Raciti 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 the policeman's family, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said it was "unacceptable that someone should die while carrying out their duty".
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. In Rome, Ms Melandri is due to meet senior football and Olympic officials to discuss the future of the game later on Monday afternoon.
Sports authorities are mulling options including banning matches from stadiums which do not meet recently introduced security criteria. On Sunday, the president of the Olympic committee said football clubs that did not respect increased security measures - including closed-circuit television cameras and turnstiles - would not be allowed to host matches.
Those that fail to meet the standards will be forced to close to the public and matches will be played behind closed doors. Sports authorities are mulling options including banning the public from matches at stadiums which do not meet recently introduced security criteria and forcing matches to take place 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.