SIXTEEN PEOPLE HAVE been hospitalised following a clash in Genoa, northern Italy, between Serbian fans and local police during and after their Euro 2012 qualifying match last night, AFP reports.

Police also reportedly made 17 arrests as a result of the incident.

The match was called off just seven minutes into play after Serbian fans threw fireworks and flares onto the pitch, targeted Italian fans and local police – and even their own team’s goalkeeper.

The match had already been delayed by 45 minutes after conflict between Serbian fans and Italian police.

Marco Azzaro, head of the paramilitary carabinieri force in Genoa, said on the news channel Sky TG24 that four carabinieri had been injured in the violence.

The Asra news agency reported that officers had seized sticks, metal bars and knives from the Serbian fans, as well as a bag carrying large explosive fireworks.

The person most seriously injured in the violence was a caribiniere officer, who was rushed to hospital after an explosive device detonated in his face. A Serbian fan also reportedly suffered facial injuries.

The violence has been strongly condemned by both Serbia and Italy.