Rome derby kick-off brought forward

Sunday's crucial Derby della Capitale with Lazio hosting city rivals Roma at the Stadio Olimpico has been brought forward from the previously scheduled 20:45 local time kick-off to 18:30 over security concerns.

The Rome derby is always a volatile affair on and off the pitch as both sets of fans are reknowned for their 'ultras' elements.

Police authorities and football officials have thus decided an earlier kick-off would help in discouraging unsavoury incidents.

With just five games left to the end of the Serie A season, this derby will be particularly keenly contested on the field.

Roma, unbeaten in 23 Serie A matches, are a point ahead of Inter at the top and have a relatively easy looking run-in thereafter in the title race.

Lazio, 16th, are not clear of relegation yet but have been one of the form teams in recent weeks with three wins and two draws in their last five. However, Biancocelesti supporters will be keen to see their side dent their city rivals' Scudetto hopes.

When the clubs met in December, a game Roma won 1-0, the game was suspended for nearly 10 minutes during the first half due to exploding firecrackers in the stadium.

In 2004, the derby was abandoned three minutes into the second half when a false rumour spread through the stadium that police had killed a boy outside the stadium, sparking riots.

Source: AFP