138 hooligans detained, 17 arrested

Italian police have detained 138 hooligans late on Tuesday after Red Star FC fans caused disturbance in Genoa. 17 have been held in custody. The Euro 2012 qualifying tie between Italy and Serbia was canceled last night, and afterwards hooligans clashed with police as they were exiting the stadium. 138 hooligans detained, 17 arrested Italian police stated on Wednesday morning that 16 people were injured in the incident at the football stadium in Genoa on Tuesday, two of whom Italian carabinieri and the rest are of Serbian citizens, and added that 17 Serbians were arrested. A man was arrested, suspected of being the organizer of the unrest. He was named as Ivan Bogdanov, aka Coi. B92 TV Insajder program reporters say the 29-year-old, who is unemployed, is one of the leaders of the Red Star supporters group, known as Ultra Boys. Bogdanov has previously been charged with violent behavior, drug possession and other offenses. Serbian police (MUP) said in Belgrade they would take measures against the hooligans who caused unrest in Genoa, and that most of them are known to police. UEFA has begun its investigation of the incidents, and possible sanctions for Serbia include a reprimand or fine, stadium closure or even disqualification from current and/or future competitions, the BBC reports. UEFA will discuss the Genoa incidents on October 28, with the Italian football federation also facing possible punishment. (Beta/AP) Interior minister weighs in Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated on Wednesday that the Italy-Serbia football match in Genoa on Tuesday evening was not prepared properly, and that the event was called off due to violent behavior of a small group of Serbian fans. Dacic said that the intervention of Italian police could have been more effective and that they ought to have prevented the spectators from bringing into the pitch the devices which they are not allowed to carry with them, and underlined that Belgrade would never allow something like that to happen. “Italian police did not turn to us for any assistance before the match. The Football Association of Serbia did not request from Serbian police to help in any way, and accompany our national team and its fans on their trip to Genoa," said Dacic.

138 hooligans detained, 17 arrested

Italian police stated on Wednesday morning that 16 people were injured in the incident at the football stadium in Genoa on Tuesday, two of whom Italian carabinieri and the rest are of Serbian citizens, and added that 17 Serbians were arrested.

A man was arrested, suspected of being the organizer of the unrest. He was named as Ivan Bogdanov, aka Coi.

B92 TV Insajder program reporters say the 29-year-old, who is unemployed, is one of the leaders of the Red Star supporters group, known as Ultra Boys. Bogdanov has previously been charged with violent behavior, drug possession and other offenses.

Serbian police (MUP) said in Belgrade they would take measures against the hooligans who caused unrest in Genoa, and that most of them are known to police.

UEFA has begun its investigation of the incidents, and possible sanctions for Serbia include a reprimand or fine, stadium closure or even disqualification from current and/or future competitions, the BBC reports.

UEFA will discuss the Genoa incidents on October 28, with the Italian football federation also facing possible punishment.

Interior minister weighs in

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić stated on Wednesday that the Italy-Serbia football match in Genoa on Tuesday evening was not prepared properly, and that the event was called off due to violent behavior of a small group of Serbian fans.

Dačić said that the intervention of Italian police could have been more effective and that they ought to have prevented the spectators from bringing into the pitch the devices which they are not allowed to carry with them, and underlined that Belgrade would never allow something like that to happen.

“Italian police did not turn to us for any assistance before the match. The Football Association of Serbia did not request from Serbian police to help in any way, and accompany our national team and its fans on their trip to Genoa," said Dačić.