ITALY: Catania's soccer fans hold minute of silence before watching Serie A match on television

Catania's fans hold a minute's silence as a mark of respect for Italian policeman Filippo Raciti before watching their Serie A against Messina on television. Catania's fan club gathered in front of a television screen on Sunday (February 11), the only way they could see their team's Serie A match against Messina. Soccer was suspended throughout Italy following violent soccer riots outside Catania's stadium on February 2 which caused the death of policeman Filippo Raciti. Packed with people of all ages, the club paused for a minute of silence as a mark of respect for the death of the policeman, before settling down to watch the match. "We wanted to go to the stadium and watch this match to demonstrate we do not want a battle in the stadiums but in order for us to shout 'Long live sport, Long live soccer'," said Catania fan club President Tino Cannavo. Fans were kept waiting for the match against Messina for over an hour as stewards said the pitch was too waterlogged to start on time following heavy downpours. But once the match started, the only thing the fans wanted to say was 'Forza Catania' - Go Catania, Go!

ITN Source | February 12, 2007

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