ABSTRACT
On 22 March 2004, fans threw two flares onto the field during the bi-annual soccer match between Rome’s rival teams, SS Lazio and AS Roma. The referee halted the game while firemen rushed to the field and removed the flares. After the smoke had cleared, the game did not resume. A rumour had been spreading throughout both ends of the stadium that a child had been run over and killed by a police vehicle before the start of the game. Amidst growing unrest in the stands, two fan leaders forced their way onto the playing field and demanded to speak to the AS Roma captain and native son, Francesco Totti. These fans insisted that if the game did not cease, the entire south section of the stadium was prepared to charge the field. Meanwhile, stadium officials announced over the public address system that the rumour of the accident was false. Nevertheless, Totti was convinced that the fans were seriously aggravated and that the game must be abandoned. After a few phone calls between the referee, team officials and league officials, the game was officially suspended. Fans slowly filed out of the stadium in a relatively calm manner.
