GENOA, Italy (AP) — The start of the Italy-Serbia European Championship qualifier has been delayed due to visiting fans throwing flares onto the field and lighting fireworks.
The teams came out and began to line up for the national anthems but then were sent back into the locker rooms as police in riot gear came out to confront spectators.
Serbia lost 3-1 at home to Estonia on Friday. That match marked the debut of new coach Vladimir Petrovic, who was hired when Radomir Antic was fired following a 1-1 draw at home with Slovenia last month. Serbia had a disappointing first-round exit from the World Cup.
Serbia fans also clashed with police earlier in the day.
