Catania to face Roma behind closed doors

AFP - 5 April 2007 20:57

Supporters hold a flare during the football match between Catania and Palermo at Catania´s Massimino stadium, February 2007. A government-backed security watchdog for sporting events in Italy ruled Thursday that Catania´s high-risk Serie A match against Roma must be played behind closed doors.

ROME (AFP) - A government-backed security watchdog for sporting events in Italy ruled Thursday that Catania's high-risk Serie A match against Roma must be played behind closed doors.

The game is taking place on neutral ground at Lecce's Via Del Mare stadium as part of punishment handed to Catania after a policeman was killed during crowd violence in February.

On Wednesday a civil court ruled that Catania fans would be allowed into neutral venues.

But the National Observer for Sporting Events has overruled the decision for the Roma match given the reputation of the two sets of fans for causing trouble.

"The match is considered high risk and therefore will be played behind closed doors, it said in a statement.

The ban on fans comes a day after Roma and Manchester United supporters clashed before and during a highly-charged Champions League quarter-final, first leg at Rome's Olympic stadium.

Thirteen United fans were hospitalised, one with a stab wound to the neck.

Catania were banned from staging matches at their Massimino stadium following the riot at the Sicilian derby against Palermo two months ago.