Italy gets win in game stopped by violence

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NYON, Switzerland, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Italy has been awarded a 3-0 win over Serbia in a game abandoned early this month because of fan violence, Europe's soccer ruling body said Friday.

The Union of European Football Associations handed down its ruling regarding an Oct. 7 game in which Italy was to play the Serbian national team at Genoa, Italy, in a Euro 2012 group qualifying match. However, actions by Serbian fans caused the game to be called off after 7 minutes of play.

In addition to the loss, Serbian soccer was fined $166,000 and ordered to play one home qualifier in an empty stadium, and its fans are barred from traveling to see the team play road games during the current qualifying season. Italian soccer was fined $140,000 because it allowed the Serbian fans to take fireworks and flares into the Genoa stadium.

Both teams were warned of additional sanctions if problems arise at future games.

The start of the Oct. 7 game was delayed because flares were thrown onto the field. Game officials stopped all play a short time later because of the increasingly dangerous situation.

Fights broke out and eight Serbian fans were arrested. Authorities said at least 19 others were arrested while returning to Serbia.

The UEFA decision left Italy in first in Group C qualifying with 10 points while Serbia slipped to fifth with four points. The teams have a return match in Serbia next October.