JUVENTUS had their team bus stoned and their besieged fans given police protection yesterday, as soccer hooliganism marred the Italian league leaders' 1-1 draw at Fiorentina.

Juventus' team bus was hit by a volley of stones from Fiorentina fans as they made their way to the stadium, shattering four windows and spraying broken glass over some of the players.

No one was injured in the incident, but police had to use batons before and tear gas after the match in Florence to maintain order and to protect the visiting Juventus fans as they left the ground.

About 10 police officers and a dozen fans suffered light injuries in various scuffles which broke out in and around the ground.

Juventus team coach Marcello Lippi said the club would not be filing a complaint about the stoning of the bus.

"The important thing is for people to realise what happened and make sure it doesn't happen again," he said.

The fixture between the two clubs has long been a source of friction between the rival fans, but Lippi stressed that what counted was the good behaviour of the players.

Juventus did not let the trouble disrupt their preparation, or the loss of first team goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi, who suffered a resurgence of an injury he picked up against England at Wembley.

Alessandro Del Piero headed the European champions into a 16th minute lead, but Fiorentina striker Anselmo Robbiati beat Juventus goalkeeper Michelangelo Rampulla from close range for a 49th minute equaliser.

Fiorentina were soon down to 10 men after defender Daniele Carnasciali was sent off in the 54th minute, but they clung on for a draw.