Violence Erupts Ahead of Rome Derby, 13 Police Injured

Tensions escalated in Rome ahead of the highly-anticipated derby between Lazio and Roma, as pre-match violence broke out among fans, leading to police intervention. Approximately 2,000 police officers were deployed to prevent clashes when Lazio's ultra fans attempted to breach barriers, resulting in fans throwing fireworks and other objects at law enforcement. The violence left 13 police officers injured, prompting Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to condemn the attacks as 'disgraceful and unacceptable.' The match itself ended in a 1-1 draw, with Lazio maintaining a narrow lead over Roma in the league standings. An investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the clashes, which may involve foreign supporters. The incidents have raised concerns over fan violence in Italian football, especially in light of a recently passed security decree aimed at enhancing protections for police.