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'Serbs shaking like a leaf' - Prandelli
Cesare Prandelli reveals Vladimir Stojkovic was “shaking like a leaf” before kick-off. “The hooligans’ actions were pre-meditated. They didn’t want the game to be played.”
Italy-Serbia was abandoned after six minutes at Marassi this evening when travelling fans repeatedly threw flares, used wire-cutters to slice open the protective nets and smashed in the Plexiglas barriers.
“We knew something was very strange when their first choice goalkeeper, Stojkovic, was sitting in our locker room shaking like a leaf,” explained Coach Prandelli.
“He said the Serbian team bus had been attacked, he had been threatened and feared for his safety. That was when we understood their actions were pre-meditated.
“The intention of the Serbian fans was to ensure this game was not played. Was he beaten up? I don’t know.”
Stojkovic was taken to a local hospital for tests, but it is unclear what exactly happened on the bus.
Some reports state several hooligans burst through the doors as it was about to leave the hotel and threw flares, one of them striking or at least hurting Stojkovic.
The UEFA delegates and Serbian FA tried to push the game on, but Scottish referee Craig Thomson declared the safety of the players could not be guaranteed.
