DEBRIS IN STREETS; CROWDS; POLICE FIRING TEARGAS; SMASHED WINDOWS; INTERIOR OF WRECKED BUILDINGS.




Initials KM/V/PW/ES


SPORT: SOCCER

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ANGRY MOBS RANSACKED PUBLIC OFFICES, BURNED CARS, AND BARRICADED STREETS YESTERDAY IN THE SECOND DAY OF RIOTING IN CASERTA, NEAR NAPLES, OVER THE RELEGATION OF THE LOCAL SOCCER TEAM TO THE THIRD DIVISION. THE TEAM WAS DEMOTED AFTER A DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE FOUND IT GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED BRIBERY.

POLICE FIRED TEARGAS AND WATER CANNON TO QUELL THOUSANDS OF YOUTHS WHO SET ON THEM WITH STICKS, STONES AND IRON BARS IN PITCHED STREET BATTLES. ABOUT 67 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED AND 70 MORE INJURED.

THE TOWN WAS PARALYSED AS SHOPS, OFFICES, FACTORIES AND SCHOOLS SHUT DOWN. MANY FAMILIES LIVING IN THE TOWN CENTRE FLED THEIR HOMES. THE RIOTS WERE THE LATEST AND WORST IN A SERIES OF VIOLENT DISORDERS IN SOUTHERN ITALY RECENTLY OVER LOCAL FOOTBALL LOSSES.

UNLIKE MONDAY'S RIOTS WHICH APPEARED TO BE SPONTANEOUS LOCAL REACTION TO A LONG-DREADED DECISION, YESTERDAY'S EVENTS WERE CLEARLY FUELLED BY OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. EARLY IN THE MORNING THOUSANDS OF YOUTHS POURED INTO THE CITY FROM OTHER AREAS, MANY OF THEM, POLICE BELIEVE, PROFESSIONAL EXTREMIST AGITATORS.