(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-13 10:29

MILAN - Italy's second and third division soccer programme will be suspended at the weekend, the country's federation said on Monday after fan violence sparked by the shooting of a Lazio supporter by a policeman.

Fans watch a display announcing the suspension of the match between Inter Milan and Lazio at the San Siro stadium in Milan November 11, 2007. A policeman accidentally shot dead a soccer fan on Sunday during a confrontation between supporters of rival clubs in Italy, police said. [Agencies]

Italy visit Scotland in a crunch Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday, meaning there is no top-flight Serie A action next weekend, but all games in the second division Serie B and third tier Serie C are postponed this Sunday.

Italy are due to host Faroe Islands in Modena on November 21 with Serie A expected to resume a week on Sunday.

The Italian soccer federation (FIGC) has now had to halt league action for the second time in a year because of hooliganism.

Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri earlier urged the soccer authorities to make a "strong gesture" and suspend the domestic championships.

Police said the fatal shooting of Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri on Sunday was accidental and are probing how the officer made such a "tragic error".

The officer is under investigation for manslaughter and has been re-assigned to internal duties, police said.