Tough security measures were brought in after the riot in Sicily earlier this month in which a police officer was killed.

As a result of the violence at the derby match between Catania and Palermo, clubs whose stadiums are deemed unsafe are being forced to play their matches behind closed doors.

But the required work has not yet begun at Ascoli, Catania, Chievo, Livorno, Parma and Udinese, the Gazzetta reported.

Work has started at Atalanta, Empoli, Fiorentina, and Reggina while Messina, whose security is up to scratch, are just waiting for a safety certificate.

Even clubs who have not yet started the necessary work are hoping to reach a compromise with the government whereby they can open their gates to fans but with a reduced capacity, just as AC Milan did at the weekend.

AC Milan season-ticket holders were allowed into last Sunday's match against Livorno after the club installed extra turnstiles to speed up the flow of people going into the San Siro.

Catania, where the riot took place, need more turnstiles, a crowd-filtering zone and closed circuit television cameras but work cannot begin at the Massimino stadium as it has been sequestered by police.

The clubs whose stadiums are deemed safe are Lazio/Roma (who share the Olympic stadium), Palermo, Torino, Sampdoria, Cagliari and Siena.

The San Siro, which AC Milan share with city rivals Inter, still has work to do but in the meantime will be allowed to open its gates with restrictions on capacity.