The body -- which oversees security at Italy's sports grounds -- said there had been a 70 per cent decline in hooliganism from the time the new regulations were enforced up until the end of the 2006-07 season, when compared with the same period in the previous year.

It added injuries to policemen dropped by 93 per cent, and injuries to fans by 44 per cent.

Antonio Matarrese, president of the Italian football league (Lega-Calcio), which controls Italy's top two divisions, was delighted with the figures.

"We have returned to normality, but we must never forget what happened in this tragic season," he said. "It has taught us all a lesson."

Police officer Filippo Raciti was killed outside Catania's Massimino stadium after Catania fans went on the rampage before, during and after the Sicilian club's local derby against Palermo.

The security measures introduced included the banning of away fans for high-risk games, more cctv cameras, crowd filtering zones, named tickets, rigorous body searches and improved stewarding.

Many stadiums were closed to the public until their security came into line with government legislation.