Thousands of rival football fans gathered for the burial yesterday of an Italian supporter whose death in a police shooting triggered riots last weekend. The government promised it would respond firmly to any further outbreaks of rioting and a priest, in his funeral sermon for Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri, urged supporters to stay calm.
"Violence will not bring justice," said parish priest Paolo Tammi.
"Gabriele was not violent, he was gentle and serene. So, I ask all you young people not to commit any more violence."
Police have called the shooting of 26-year-old Sandri after a brawl between fans a tragic accident. But the incident has fuelled hatred between "tifosi" (fans) and police in the country which won the World Cup last year.
Family and friends of Sandri, a DJ, senior politicians and thousands of fans wearing blue and white Lazio scarves, and also the colours of city arch-rivals Roma and other Italian clubs, met the arrival of his coffin with a traditional applause.
Francesco Totti, the captain of Roma and one of Italian football's biggest names, also paid his respects. Outside the church in the north-west quarter of Balduina, some fans told camera crews they would "get a beating after the funeral".
Interior Minister Giuliano Amato promises a thorough investigation into why a policeman fired two shots across a busy motorway at a carload of Lazio fans leaving a rest stop after a brawl. One of the shots killed Sandri.
Amato has also accused fans of using the incident as an excuse to go on the rampage around the country, setting fire to cars and attacking police stations, for which two Roman youths may face terrorism charges.
"We expect a quiet funeral. But there is a question mark over what will happen after the funeral," Amato told reporters in Sardinia.
It was the second violent death linked to top league soccer this year after a policeman died in rioting outside a stadium in February.
Some politicians want much tougher action than the soccer federation's suspension of second and third division games this weekend, when no top-flight matches are scheduled because Italy is playing Scotland in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
In February, all matches were suspended pending tougher security measures at stadiums. The disparity in measures taken has led to accusations that officials take a policeman's death more seriously than a fan's.
The February violence contributed to Italy missing out in the contest to host the Euro 2012 championship and some Serie A players say the continuing problems could force them to consider transfers abroad.