by 112-1077774096 » Sat Feb 03, 2007 5:18 pm
Italian players' association president Sergio Campana wants the suspension of football in the country to last for up to a year to allow for a proper solution to the problems of violence to be found.
The FIGC announced an immediate suspension of all domestic and international football in the country on Friday night, hours after a policeman was killed during serious fighting between Catania and Palermo fans at the Sicilian derby.
"(FIGC commissioner Luca) Pancalli called me and I was in total agreement (with the suspension), but I wanted my proposal taken seriously that soccer should stop for a year in order to reflect on the evils that exist," Campana said.
The FIGC have given no indication as to how long the suspension might remain in place.
This weekend's domestic matches have been postponed, and the international friendly against Romania on Wednesday - as well as Tuesday's Under-21 fixture against Belgium - have been cancelled.
Prior to kick-off a minute's silence had been held following the death of a club official from lower league club Sammartinese at a game last weekend.
And Campana believes Italy should follow England's lead in stamping out the problems in the country.
He added: "A one-day postponement is not enough. There have been two deaths in a week in Italian football.
"We must reflect. We can not accept episodes of violence every single weekend just because someone plays badly. I've been in football many years, but I've never experienced such a tragic week.
"If in England they've managed to beat every type of violence, I see no reason why we can't do the same. In England you see teams that have been relegated and applauded by their fans, here our players are hit because they lose one game.
"The culture must change. This time we can not allow it to go on. It's time to reflect, we can not lose life for absurd reasons."
Senior figures in the FIGC are set to meet the nation's minister of sport, Giovanna Melandri, to discuss the situation.