Police arrest 8 fans for clashes before Palermo-Lazio match

PALERMO, Sicily (AP) Police have arrested eight fans for involvement in clashes before Sunday's heated Palermo-Lazio match.

The clashes occurred in the center of Palermo and the situation carried over to the stadium, where home fans threw fireworks and halted the game in each half.

The match was stopped for nearly five minutes in the second half - the longest of the two interruptions - after a firework exploded seconds after Lazio midfielder Antonio Candreva ran past it.

Fans of relegation-threatened Palermo also threw seats onto the pitch before the situation improved. Around 300 people protested outside the stadium in Sicily after the match, which Lazio won 3-0.

Third from the bottom of the standings, Palermo visits Italian league leader Juventus next weekend.