Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Italian Soccer Fans Riot After Shooting

Cops call shooting "tragic error" after mob attacks police barracks

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 11, 2007 7:11 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – The police shooting of an Italian soccer fan sparked riots and police clashes across the country today, the BBC reports. Hundreds in Rome torched a bus, smashed cop cars, and attacked a police barracks. In Milan, one game was stopped when angry fans tried to storm the field; more violence erupted in southern Italy at lower league games. "It was a tragic error," a police chief said of the killing.

The shooting occurred in Tuscany, when a cop killed Gabriele Sandri, 26, possibly with a warning shot. "Our agent had intervened to prevent the brawl between two groups [of fans], who had not been identified as fans," the chief said. Italian PM Romano Prodi called the rioting "very worrying" and ordered a probe of the shooting.

Cristiano Sandri, left, is comforted by an unidentified person after his brother Gabriele Sandri was killed on a highway near Arezzo, central Italy, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Sandri, a Lazio soccer fan, was killed Sunday during a clash with Juventus team supporters at a highway rest stop, and authorities are...
Cristiano Sandri, left, is comforted by an unidentified person after his brother Gabriele Sandri was killed on a highway near Arezzo, central Italy, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Sandri, a Lazio soccer fan,...   (Associated Press)
Supporters hold flares as they protest in front of the Italian State TV RAI headquarters in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. A police officer accidentally shot dead a Lazio soccer fan Sunday while trying to break up a clash with supporters of another club at a highway rest stop,...
Supporters hold flares as they protest in front of the Italian State TV RAI headquarters in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. A police officer accidentally shot dead a Lazio soccer fan Sunday while...   (Associated Press)
Atalanta supporters hit the barrier as they try to get into the field during the Italian first division soccer match between Atalanta and AC Milan at the Comunale stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. The match was stopped after seven minutes when Atalanta fans tried to break through...
Atalanta supporters hit the barrier as they try to get into the field during the Italian first division soccer match between Atalanta and AC Milan at the Comunale stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Nov....   (Associated Press)
Cristiano Sandri, second from right, is comforted by unidentified people, after his brother Gabriele Sandri was killed on a highway near Arezzo, central Italy, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Sandri, a Lazio soccer fan, was killed Sunday during a clash with Juventus team supporters at a highway rest stop, and authorities...
Cristiano Sandri, second from right, is comforted by unidentified people, after his brother Gabriele Sandri was killed on a highway near Arezzo, central Italy, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Sandri, a Lazio soccer...   (Associated Press)
Soccer fans face police as they stage a protest in front of the Italian State TV RAI headquarters in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. A police officer accidentally shot dead a Lazio soccer fan Sunday while trying to break up a clash with supporters of another club at a...
Soccer fans face police as they stage a protest in front of the Italian State TV RAI headquarters in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. A police officer accidentally shot dead a Lazio soccer fan Sunday...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Related Stories

More photos of rioting
BBC

Players saddened after today's game
Canadian Press

Sicilian cop was killed in February riot
CBC (Canada)

 
police • Italy • Tuscany • Rome • soccer • protests • Milan • riots • Olympic Games

More Newser Stories

Protests Rage on in Rome, London

Race Riots Erupt Again in Italy

Roman Soccer Fans Will Kick, Er, Stab Your Butt

Man Died in G20 Protest After Clash With Cops: Witnesses

Italian Cities Ban Foreign Food
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne