Palermo – Lazio halted as fan trouble continues
Simone Inzaghi’s first game in charge of the Rome outfit is mared by ugly scenes as violence breaks out between the two sets of supporters following a stabbing.
Referee Andrea Gervasoni was forced to temporarily halt a trouble-hit Serie A fixture between Palermo and Lazio as anger among the home fans boiled over at the Barbera Stadium on Sunday.
Sicilian side Palermo are battling to beat relegation to Italy's second division and tensions ran over prior to the fixture when rival fans clashed outside the stadium.
According to a report on Gazzetta dello Sport's website, several Palermo fans stabbed a Lazio fan as he sat in a bar.
The incident sparked a mass brawl, with police called in to stop fans throwing missiles and flares at each other before arresting five local men.
Lazio took a 2-0 lead by the 15th minute of the game thanks to a double from German veteran striker Miroslav Klose.
With the visitors in complete command of the game and Palermo struggling, it got all too much for some hardline ultras.
They began lighting flares, with firecrackers setting explosions echoing throughout the stadium and prompting Gervasoni to halt proceedings for two minutes in the 24th minute.
In Italy, referees have the power to halt matches to allow stewards to restore order, and stop them altogether in extreme circumstances.
Lazio sacked coach Stefano Pioli last week and appointed Simone Inzaghi, the brother of former AC Milan striker and coach Filippo Inzaghi.