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Uefa boss backs Italian ban
04/02/2007 10:02 - (SA)
Nyon - Newly-elected Uefa president Michel Platini on Saturday backed the Italian football federation's decision to suspend all matches after the death of a policeman at a Serie A match.
All football in Italy was shelved indefinitely after 38-year-old Filippo Raciti was killed by an explosive device as security forces battled rioting fans at the Sicilian derby between Catania and Palermo on Friday.
"Firstly I extend my heartfelt personal condolences, together with those of the entire European football family, to the family of the police officer, Filippo Raciti, who lost his life," said Platini.
"Violence of any sort is unacceptable and it has absolutely no place in the game of football - we do not condone it, we must not accept it and we must act to eradicate it.
"That is why today UEFA offers its whole hearted support for the actions taken by the FIGC (Italian football federation) extraordinary commissioner, Luca Pancalli, to indefinitely suspend all international and domestic matches until further notice.
"Following the death of a Paris St Germain supporter last year and the rioting of Feyenoord fans in Nancy, this latest episode further deepens our concern about violence creeping back into the game.
"We must now work together with the Italian football authorities and politicians in support of the Italian game, and find a solution to this spiral of violence that is plaguing European football," said the Frenchman.
- AFP
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