Interior Undersecretary Emanuele
Prisco on Monday condemned the violent clashes that took place
on Italy's A1 motorway on Sunday between AS Roma and Napoli fans
and called for a hard line to be adopted with violent soccer
supporters.
Hundreds of fans, many armed with clubs, were involved in
clashes at the Badia al Pino service station near Arezzo and the
violence spilled onto the highway, with traffic blocked in the
northbound direction for about 50 minutes.
There is speculation that the 'ultra' hardcore fans of Roma and
Napoli may have arranged to meet for a score-setting clash at
the service station.
The Napoli fans were on they way to see their side's Serie A
clash against Sampdoria in Genoa.
"The clashes take us back to the dark ages of the past when
violence inside and outside stadiums was the order of the day"
Prisco told ANSA on the sidelines of an event in Perugia.
"I believe a fist of iron should be used with the violent
elements, but we must distinguish them from real fans and not
tar everyone with the same brush".
A Roma fan was arrested after being injured in the violence.
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