Italian club football has been postponed indefinitely after a policeman was killed at a game tonight.
According to reports, the policeman was struck in the face by a small explosive as Catania and Palermo supporters fought prior to tonight's Sicilian derby.
The policeman (38) was taken to hospital but died from his injuries.
The Italian football federation (FIGC) held an emergency meeting tonight where it was decided to suspend Serie A and Serie B matches for the foreseeable future.
"I have demanded a stop to all activity of football in Italy," FIGC commissioner Luca Pancalli said in a statement.
"Enough is enough. It's a situation that I cannot speak of. To lose your life at 38 is incredible. This is not a sport."
"The football tournaments will remain suspended until we solve the violence in our football," he said. "It's unacceptable that such incidents happen in a country like Italy."
Italy are hoping to host the European Championships in 2012.
"At this moment I'm not thinking about (the bid) but should we lose our Euro 2012 bid because of this situation, we would deserve to lose it," Pancalli added.
Approximately 100 people were injured - some seriously - after fighting erupted in the build-up to the game. Trouble continued throughout the evening, with the game suspended for 30 minutes at one stage.
Palermo won the match 2-1 and players and staff were held in the stadium by police after the game while the area was secured.
Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin said: "If we cannot get into our heads that football is a sport we cannot live in the world of football. What has happened tonight offends sport and a beautiful city like Catania."
Catania club executive Pietro Lo Monaco reacted to news by announcing he would leave football.
"I've heard that a policeman has died," he said. "To speak of football right now seems useless. For me this is the end. I will leave the football world. I don't recognise myself in this world anymore. I have loved football intensely but after this right now it seems absurd."
