Violence still threats Italian football

Rome's police intelligence department found out that violent elements of both sides had planned clashes outside and inside Rome's Stadio Olimpico where second-place Roma welcome the Naples newcomers on Saturday afternoon.

 Only season-ticket holders will be allowed at the stadium in hopes to prevent the scenes that marred the last game the two sides played in 2001, when a 2-2 draw meant relegation for Napoli as Roma sailed toward their third Serie A title.

 "There is trouble brewing around this game," said Roma's international Daniele De Rossi. "For us players it's not easy to judge, but this time I want to say it: it was not a bad decision."

   No complaints came from club officials, who prefer losing about 500,000 euros from ticket sales to possibly being sentenced to play the upcoming city derby with Lazio on a neutral pitch in case of incidents.

 Commentator Candido Cannavo Thursday wrote on La Gazzetta dello Sport that "the worst thing is that football people still don't understand that the emergency is not over, that we live in a poisoned football atmosphere like in no other country in the world."

   Cannavo criticised the frequent protests of Antonio Matarrese, the president of the League of football clubs, and of Massimo Moratti and Silvio Berlusconi, respective presidents of Inter Milan and AC Milan, when restrictive measures are taken.

 Violence has spoilt the scene also for Inter, whose diehard fans won't be allowed to the next home game at Genoa after racist chants and banners against Napoli on October 7 - an unprecedented sentence that Moratti has appealed.

 And Napoli themselves have already had to play their home game to Genoa in the empty San Paolo on September 30.

 Violence aside, champions Inter lead the standings on 17 points when they play away at struggling Reggina later Saturday, while Juventus, lying joint second with Roma on 14 points, play at home late Sunday against surprising newcomers Genoa, who have 12 points.

 In Sunday afternoon action, Fiorentina play a Tuscany derby against Siena, Udinese meet Palermo, while European champions Milan look to improve on their modest 10 points against to lowly Empoli.

 Atalanta welcome Torino, Cagliari take on Catania, bottom-side Livorno host Lazio and Sampdoria entertain Parma.