INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP: THE REPUBLIC of Ireland's Group Eight opponents Italy have indefinitely banned their own supporters from away games after trouble flared during their goalless draw in Bulgaria on Saturday.
The Italian Football Federation have announced they will not take up their allocation of tickets for away fixtures following events in Sofia. Italy are due to play in Dublin next year on October 10th.
A section of the travelling support threw bottles at the Bulgarian fans, made fascist salutes and chanted fascist slogans. Three Italians were detained by police after burning a Bulgarian flag.
FIGC president Giancarlo Abete has condemned those involved. Although authorities cannot prevent fans from travelling to away fixtures, they can stop them from gaining entry to the stadium. "Until we have certainties and we are able to verify certain things, we will not ask for any tickets for Italy's away games," said Abete.
"I feel great bitterness and pain for what has happened. Everyone knows the process to isolate these individuals is long but this is a dark episode. I believe with all the technological means available we can now identify those individuals. I don't believe they are fans but individuals who are prone to delinquent behaviour with the intention of damaging the image of our nation. But we have all of their names and we will punish them."
The incidents come just a month after the Italian government announced measures to stamp out hooliganism. The game in Italy has been plagued by the problem in recent seasons with the start of this year's Serie A campaign marred by unruly behaviour.
The world champions host Montenegro in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier in Lecce. Their next away game is in Montenegro on March 23rd, 2009.
Meanwhile, England are set to play Spain in a friendly next year - but will not allow the fixture to be held in Madrid, because of the racism problems they experienced at the Bernabeu in 2004.
Contrary to reports, the English FA are committed to a game against the European Champions - which was personally requested by coach Fabio Capello.
Although an official agreement is yet to be reached between the FA and their Spanish counterparts, the fixture is expected to be played on Wednesday, February 11th, the only remaining Fifa international date still to be filled.
However, the FA want to avoid a return to Madrid, mindful of the problems England experienced last time they visited the Spanish capital four years ago. Shaun Wright-Phillips was abused - along with Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas. The Spanish Federation were fined €57,000.
Defenders John Terry and Ashley Cole have been ruled out of England's trip to Belarus tomorrow through injury. Goalkeeper Robert Green has also withdrawn.
