Rome derby will go ahead

The Rome derby between Lazio and Roma will go ahead as scheduled on Sunday despite outbreaks of scattered violence between rival fan groups.

A number of incidents took place on Saturday as rival groups, some of them armed, moved around Rome’s streets intent on causing trouble.

Police clashed with troublemakers and around 70 people were injured during a day of violence in the Italian capital.

Fears of the derby being called off spread as riots escalated, but Rome’s mayor Gianni Alemanno said the game will proceed.

“The derby will be played, it would be a defeat for the city of Rome if it was cancelled,” Alemanno told Il Corriere dello Sport.

The president of the Italian Football League, Maurizio Beretta, is also confident security measures in place will stop any further trouble.

“I have spoken with the police and they assured me that the stadium and the surrounding areas have been made safe for the fans,” Beretta said.