CALCIO ON HOLD

POLICEMAN DIES IN CLASH AFTER CATANIA - PALERMO
ALL SERIE A AND SERIE B MATCHES ARE POSTPONED INDEFINITELY

After a tense Sicilian derby which had to be suspended for nearly 30 minutes during the second half due to a dense cloud of smoke over the pitch, supporters continued to set off smoke bombs and other pyrotechnics. A 38-year-old police officer was killed by one such explosion. FIGC has indefinitely put a stop to all play in Italy.

[Update 3 Feb, 5 30 PM EST] Speculation from La Repubblica:

Due turni di stop. Poi campionato a porte chiuse. Questa l'idea più verosimile per dare un seguito alla decisione presa dal commissario della Figc Luca Pancalli subito dopo la tragedia di Catania.

Two matchdays of postponement followed by the remainder of the season behind closed doors for all clubs. La Repubblica thinks this is the most likely course of action that will be taken by FIGC after their emergency meeting on Monday. This is, however, purely speculative, and the truth will not be known until FIGC, CONI, and UEFA make their final announcements.

[Update 2 Feb, 11 PM EST] And from the players' association president, Sergio Campana:

Pancalli mi ha chiamato...ed ero totalmente d'accordo ma vorrei che fosse presa seriamente in considerazione questa mia proposta, il calcio dovrebbe fermarsi un anno per far riflettere su tutti i mali che mostra.

Pancalli called me...and I was in complete agreement but I think that my proposal should be taken in serious consideration, that football should be stopped for one year to reflect upon the evils that it has shown

[2 Feb, 7 30 PM EST] Comments from FIGC commissioner Luca Pancalli:

Ho disposto lo stop di tutte le attività, il calcio in Italia si ferma. Ora basta, veramente basta. È una situazione che non riesco neanche a commentare, perdere la vita a 38 anni è incredibile; questo non è sport.

We have put a stop to all activity, football in Italy is stopped. Now this is enough, really enough. It's a situation that I can't even comment on, to lose one's life at 38 years is incredible; this is not sport.