Soccer: Missiles lead to tighter control at Italian grounds

Italian officials have announced a tough crackdown on missile-throwing at grounds after Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called for "drastic measures" to combat recent violence.

Berlusconi, who also owns AC Milan, met Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu a day after a barrage of missiles from Inter Milan fans led to their team's Champions League derby against AC Milan being called off at the San Siro Stadium.

Berlusconi's office issued a statement warning: "There is a clear risk of even more serious incidents in future, a risk which must be avoided by all possible means.

"Premier Berlusconi urged the Interior Minister to maintain the firm line that has been taken for some time, with particular reference to preventative measures.

"However, resorting to the most drastic measures available should not be ruled out if necessary. "

Berlusconi's call was promptly answered by Franco Carraro, head of the Italian Football Federation, who announced tough new regulations that will come into force immediately.

Exercising special powers, Carraro said referees could suspend - or not even start - any match in which missiles were thrown, flares lit or any banners waved that could cause offence.

A match that is subsequently abandoned would be awarded as a 3-0 defeat for the team whose fans were responsible for the trouble, Carraro said, invoking an existing federation rule.

He also called on players and club officials to do everything they could to create a peaceful climate inside grounds.

- REUTERS