in their Stadio Olimpico, more intense and personal than most matches, and historically marked by massive crowds, excitement, violence, and (recently) racist banners in the crowd. As one commentator puts it, "There are few games on the world stage that can match the bitterness, rivalry and sheer passion of the Rome derby."
Lazio/Roma rivalry
Lazio keeps its ticket-office and seats its fans along the Curva Nord; Roma along the Curva Sud. Lazio in particular have come in for criticism for their fan's banners at the derby, designed for shock value; in recent years these have included Niggers go home and Auschwitz was only the start (specifically taunting certain Roma players).
The Spring 2004 Derby Riot
The Rome derby on March 21, 2004 was abandoned four minutes into the second half, with the score tied at 0-0, when a riot broke out in the stands and the president of the league called the match off. The riots, including literal exchanges of fireworks, followed the spread of a rumour that a boy had been killed by a police car just outside the stadium. This story was spread to the players when three Roma ultras (hardcore fans) walked onto the pitch to speak with Francesco Totti, the Roma captain. He then asked for the match to be called off, at which point Italian Football League president Adriano Galliani was reached by the referee by mobile phone -- from the pitch -- and ordered the game postponed.
The remaining 42 minutes of the match are to be played at an (as of March 28, 2004) undetermined future date.
After the match was postponed a prolonged battle among fans and between fans and police ensued, with stands being set on fire and people fleeing the stadium, eventually resulting in over 13 arrests and over 150 injured among the police alone. Police resorted to tear gas after fans continued throwing fireworks and started burning cars and motorbikes outside the stadium.
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