Britain was involved in a war of words with the Italian authorities last night over who was to blame for the violence at Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Rome.

The British Embassy last night demanded a report about the Italian police's actions during the game when they baton-charged English fans.

Officials also want to know why several thousand fans were kept behind for hours after the final whistle.

But Italian police hit back at claims that they were heavyhanded saying the troubles were caused by the drink-fuelled antics of English hooligans.