A Serie A match between Catania and Palermo turned violent and the subsequent fracas left a policemen dead forcing authorities to cancel all weekend matches as well as an international fixture against Romania. 

A home-made bomb went off outside Catania's stadium, fatally injuring the policeman, Filippo Raciti. It is reported that another police officers fighting for his life, while 70 other people were injured during the clashes.

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has called for huge measures to tackle violence in the game even as football authorities have convened an emergency meeting on Monday. Prodi called for "a remedy that makes clubs feel responsible (for fans) and radically changes the situation".

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) took immediate action suspending all games including the Romania match due for Wednesday. "A strong signal was needed until we find measures to prevent certain episodes," said FIGC head Luca Pancalli. "We will immediately set up a commission to discuss the situation between sport and politics. It's not possible to carry on like this."

Violence is nothing new in Italian football, but this year instances of clashes between police and fans have increased very rapidly. Sergio Campana, who is the chief of the Italian Footballers' Association, has called for suspending all leagues for at least one year.