Anti-racism campaigners have praised AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng after he walked off the field in protest at racist abuse during a friendly - followed by his team-mates.

Italy Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete is confident Mario Balotelli will bounce back from his disappointing display against Spain.

Italy football federation vice-president Demetrio Albertini has reassured fans that the Azzurri will play at Euro 2012.

Italian football president Giancarlo Abete has rejected the suggestion that football in Italy should be suspended for up to three years in a order to weed out match-fixing from the game.

Cesare Prandelli, will continue as Italy coach regardless of how well they perform at Euro 2012, according to the country’s football federation.

Cesare Prandelli will continue as Italy coach regardless of how well they perform at Euro 2012, according to the country’s football federation.

SIMONE FARINA is an unlikely football hero.

The Italian Players’ Union and the Lega Serie A today signed a temporary resolution to avert any further strike action.

BRUSSELS could be unlikely venue for the Republic of Ireland’s glamour friendly in June with Italy.

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been warned he must “mature” before he can return to the Italy team.

The planned strike for this weekend's Serie A matches has been called off after the players' union (AIC) and Lega Serie A reached an agreement.

Italian football chief Giancarlo Abete has called a meeting in Rome tomorrow in an attempt to avoid the Serie A strike planned for this weekend.

Italy striker Mario Balotelli has admitted he is growing weary of hearing racist abuse when playing football.

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giancarlo Abete is optimistic a compromise can be reached to prevent a strike from Serie A players on the weekend of September 25-26.

Serie A was thrown into crisis today when the players in Italy's top flight announced they will go on strike on the weekend of September 25-26.

FIORENTINA coach Cesare Prandelli has signed a four-year contract to take over as Italy boss when Marcello Lippi steps down after the World Cup.

Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli moved a step closer to taking over as Italy boss today with reports suggesting he has signed a four-year contract to succeed Marcello Lippi after the World Cup.

Marcello Lippi insists he will not renew his contract before the World Cup finals, prompting speculation over the Italy coach’s future.

QPR’s Martin Rowlands has been called into the Irish squad as Giovanni Trapattoni continues to sweat on a number of players who are nursing injuries in the run-up to Saturday’s big game against Italy at Croke Park.

Italy football federation president Giancarlo Abete is hoping his national team can this weekend confirm their place at next year’s World Cup finals.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi will not call up a replacement for injured striker Antonio Di Natale.

ITALY have indefinitely banned their own supporters from away games after trouble flared during the Azzurri’s goalless draw in Bulgaria on Saturday.

Giovanni Trapattoni believes the Italian Football Federation will never be able to prevent the country’s supporters from watching their national team away from home.

Italy have indefinitely banned their own supporters from away games after trouble flared during the Azzurri’s goalless draw in Bulgaria on Saturday.

ITALY coach Roberto Donadoni will find out his fate “in the next few days”, the Italian football federation confirmed yesterday.

MARCO TARDELLI will take in two more Premiership games at the weekend as Giovanni Trapattoni’s assistant continues to monitor Irish players for his boss.

Fans of six Serie A clubs have been banned from travelling to their respective away games on November 24-25 in the wake of Sunday’s football-related violence.

Football is being made a scapegoat for a deeper problem in Italian society, according to AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf.

Italian sports minister Giovanna Melandri has called for club football to be halted for several weeks in order to crack down on violence in the sport.

The policeman who accidentally shot and killed a Lazio fan in Italy yesterday has spoken of his regret over the incident.

Italy is in shock over another football tragedy in which a Lazio fan was shot and killed today at a motorway service station in Arezzo.

ITALIAN football’s ambitious plans to reform and rebuild faced an uncertain future after their lost bid to host Euro 2012.

The Italian football delegation are despondent after losing the race to host Euro 2012.

Italy’s football supremo on Thursday defended the policemen on duty at the Stadio Olimpico for the clash between Roma and Manchester United.

SATURDAY night’s 1-1 draw between Roma and Milan in Rome lived up to its billing as a possible dress rehearsal for the Champions League semi-final.

WORLD CUP-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has paid a glowing tribute to Marcello Lippi, who yesterday made an “irrevocable” decision to step down as coach of Italy.

Marcello Lippi will consider his Italy future over the coming days – but the indications are he will stay on after leading the Azzurri to World Cup glory.

ITALIAN coach Marcello Lippi expects Daniele De Rossi to receive some harsh punishment for elbowing US forward Brian McBride in the face.

Francesco Totti has been handed a three-match ban by a UEFA disciplinary committee today after the Roma star was found guilty of gross unsporting conduct.