Tributes paid to policeman killed in football riot

THOUSANDS of mourners flocked to a cathedral in the Sicilian city of Catania yesterday for the funeral of a policeman whose death in a football riot in Italy prompted calls for new measures to curb stadium violence.

In a telegram of condolence, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his “spiritual closeness” to the family of 38-year-old Filippo Raciti, killed during street clashes at the Catania-Palermo Serie A match on Friday.

As a sign of respect, people applauded as Mr Raciti’s coffin, draped in the Italian flag, was carried inside the Duomo Cathedral followed by his youngest son dressed in a police uniform.