Police wary of violent fans at Italy tie

Police have started anti-violence controls at the Italian-Slovenian border ahead of a Euro 2012 qualifier in Ljubljana on Friday.

The ANSA news agency reported Wednesday that traffic is expected to slow down as officers from both countries verify the identity of Italian fans travelling to the Slovenian capital.

Clashes on the stands marred a friendly that the teams played in August 2002 in Triest.

Last November, groups of Italian fans disturbed a friendly played in Austria against Romania with racist chants against Mario Balotelli and Cristian Ledesma.

Balotelli is an Italy-born striker with Ghana origins, currently playing with English side Manchester City. Lazio midfielder Ledesma was born in Argentina and holds an Italian passport.

None of them was called up for Friday's game at the Stozice Stadium.

After four games, Italy lead Group C on 10 points, with second-place Slovenia trailing by three points.Author: Alberto Cagliano