Italian Federation to investigate offensive banners

Rome: The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has opened an investigation into a banner displayed by Roma fans during Saturday`s 1-0 win against Napoli, president Carlo Tavecchio said on Sunday.

"I condemn what happened, and the federal prosecutor has already shown an interest," Tavecchio said.

"We need to find out how it is possible that such a thing can happen in a stadium with a maximum level of security in place."

Saturday`s game at the Stadio Olimpico, which Roma won 1-0, was the first between the clubs in the capital since Napoli fan Ciro Esposito was shot by 48-year-old Roma `ultra` Daniele De Santis on May 3, 2014 as violence broke out on the fringes of the Italian Cup final between Napoli and Fiorentina.

The 30-year-old died in hospital six weeks later.

Almost a year on, tensions remain high between the supporters of both clubs.

At Saturday`s `Derby del Sole` (Derby of the Sun), travelling Napoli fans were banned from attending as authorities feared trouble.

Banners displayed at the Stadio Olimpico took aim at Esposito`s mother, Antonella Leardi, for her decision to publish a book about her son. Called `Ciro Vive` (Ciro Lives), it was released last week.

One banner read: "First the book, next the film." Another read: "How sad, you`re making money from the funeral with books and interviews."

Tavecchio expressed his support for Leardi, saying she had been "deeply offended at a time of such grief by the banners displayed at the Stadio Olimpico."

On Saturday, a lawyer acting for Esposito`s family called for action to be taken against those responsible for the banners, saying they "should be banned from a stadium which, unfortunately, is all too often characterised by negative and dangerous banners."