THE ITALIAN DISEASE

Expertise in combating hooliganism is replacing the English disease as the game's biggest export to Europe. At a seminar at the British embassy in Rome next week the FA chairman Geoff Thompson, the head of the National Criminal Intelligence Service, Brian Drew, the international coordinator of the Football Supporters Federation Kevin Miles, and Piara Power of the anti-racism lobby Kick It Out, will address Italian football and civil authorities on tackling violence and racism. The initiative follows increasing disorder at Serie A matches and comes as the Italian FA ponders a bid for the 2012 European Championship.