"I would give a strong signal even going as far as a break in matches to allow time for fruitful reflection for those who participate," Conte told an end-of-year press conference in Rome. "However, I will let the competent authorities decide." Pre-match violence marred Wednesday's match in Milan with 39-year-old Daniele Belardinelli killed when he was struck by a car amid skirmishes when up to 100 Inter supporters attacked Napoli fans as they arrived at the San Siro stadium by minibus.
Belardinelli - a supporter of Varese and Inter Milan, clubs whose fans are close - had been banned from the San Siro between 2007 and 2017 for violence. Conte also deplored as "very serious" the monkey noises directed at Napoli's Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Prime Minister said "a strong reaction was needed from all," adding that he would discuss with the Minister of Sport the possibility of "strengthening penalties" against offenders. In the meantime the Italian league have already ordered Inter Milan to play two Serie A home matches behind closed doors as punishment for the racist chants. Inter fans have already been banned from travelling to Tuscany on Saturday when the club, third in Serie A, play Empoli.