The president of the Italian Football Federation has urged the Italian government to help the sport by rushing through planned legislation to combat violence.

Franco Carraro met government officials yesterday, after coordinated protest by the players’ union which led to delays in the kick-offs of all Sunday’s matches. The union was responding to two recent attacks by fans on players.

Last week FrancescoBaldini, captain of Serie B club Napoli was attacked while leaving training and last month Messina keeper Emanuele Manitta was hurt when a Cagliari fan ran on the pitch and punched him.

Proposed legislation, similar to that used in the UK, to make it easier to arrest offenders in stadiums has beenn debated in Italy, but as yet no new law has been introduced

‘It was a positive meeting,’ said Carraro after the meeting.

‘We need to work in the medium to long term on drawing up the law which has become bogged down in parliament but also to act immediately because we need prevention but also repression.’