THE RECENT violence in Italian football, which led to the death of a Lazio supporter and a spate of clashes between supporters and police, has prompted the British Embassy to issue one of its strongest ever warnings for travelling supporters in advance of Manchester United’s Champions League visit to Roma next week.

United fans making the trip have been cautioned against entering several “no-go” areas around the Stadio Olimpico and in Rome itself. The warning is also in response to the trouble that ensued when United faced Roma in last year’s Champions League quarter-final. United supporters were attacked by Roma’s notorious Ultras before the game and Uefa fined Roma £31,000 and United £14,500 after fans threw missiles inside the stadium and fought with police.

“Fans should be aware that there has recently been trouble between Italian fans and the police following the shooting of Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri on November 11. Hundreds of football fans rioted, attacking a police barracks with stones and clubs, after a man was shot dead by a policeman during a clash between supporters,” said the Embassy.

Waves of protests were triggered across the country, including a group of about 200 fans in Rome who set fire to cars and smashed the windows of the police barracks, raising questions about the world champions’ ability to stamp out violence from their domestic fixtures. The rioting led to matches being

cancelled and the Italian authorities have vowed to take a tough stance on football violence. Some of those arrested in Rome were charged a couple of weeks ago with “terrorism”.

The Embassy warning “strongly advises fans to use the free public transport provided by the authorities from the Villa Borghese to get to the stadium and not to travel to the stadium on foot or on public transport”.

The warning goes on to state: “Please stay as far away from Campo De Fiori, which is the meeting point for the AS Roma fans and a place where there has been a lot of trouble in the past with Ultra AS Roma fans.”

The Embassy also advises: “You are urged not take the metro trains to the Piazza Flaminio or attempt to use the Ponte Duca D’Aosta bridge as these are habitual routes taken by the Ultras to the stadium.”

United fans were also warned that their troubles may begin well away from the stadium and were advised to be vigilant when travelling on sleepers or night trains. “Thieves sometimes operate on trains in Italy and may take the opportunity, during the night, to rob sleeping travellers,” the Embassy statement said. “Theft can also take place on trains during the day. Do not leave bags containing valuables unattended.”

English travellers should also guard against being passed counterfeit currency. Police in Europe have issued warnings that fake Euro notes are in circulation on the continent and fans should take reasonable precautions to ensure that any notes received from sources other than banks and legitimate Bureaux de Change are genuine.