GENOA, Italy, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Unruly fans forced the cancellation of a Euro 2012 Championships soccer match between Italy and Serbia Tuesday in Genoa, Italy, authorities said.
The start of the match had been delayed 30 minutes after disturbances in the crowd at Marassi Stadium involving visiting Serbian fans. Then, 6 minutes into the match, play was halted, CNN reported.
Referee Craig Thomson signaled the teams to halt play when fans threw flares onto the pitch, one of which appeared to hit Italian goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.
The players left the field following discussions between European football's governing body UEFA, Italian and Serbian officials.
"We're not playing this game," Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli told reporters. "I have never seen anything like this before."
CNN said Serbian fans had climbed a security fence and initially refused to come down. Police and firefighters surrounded the visitors, who were allegedly throwing flares and objects at Italian fans.
The game was Group C qualifier for the Euro 2012 Championships.
