(CNN) -- The Euro 2012 Group C qualifier between Italy and Serbia in Genoa has been abandoned after just six minutes of action, following serious crowd trouble.
Disturbances in the area of the Marassi stadium where the visiting fans were congregated saw the kick-off delayed by over 30 minutes.
And, when play did eventually begin, referee Craig Thomson stopped the match after flares were thrown from the same end as the earlier disturbances, with one appearing to strike Italian goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.
Following consultations between UEFA, Italian and Serbian officials, the players left the pitch, without returning.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli told reporters: "We're not playing this game. I have never seen anything like this before".
Before kick-off, three Serb fans climbed onto a security screen and initially refused to get down, while police, firemen and stewards surrounded the visiting fans as flares and objects were hurled at the Italian fans.
In the other Group C matches, Slovenia claimed a vital 1-0 win in Estonia to move up to second place in the table, level with Italy who still lead the way on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland, who held Italy to a 0-0 draw in Belfast on Friday, needed a late Kyle Lafferty goal to scrape a 1-1 draw in the Faroe Islands.
CNN
