Image used for representation only.
Milan, Italy: A coach driver in Italy has been killed after being hit with a brick while transporting basketball fans who were attacked by rival supporters with a hail of stones.
Raffaele Marianella died aged 65 late on Sunday night following the assault on fans of Pistoia Basket, a team from Tuscany, who were returning home from a win against Sebastiani Basket Rieti in the second division of Italian basketball.
Italian media widely report that the attack was carried out by Sebastiani Basket Rieti supporters.
"The assault carried out tonight by hooligans, who have become killers and could never be called fans, is deeply disturbing," said Italy's sport minister Andrea Abodi.
"Sport is life and these criminals are light years away from the values of sport."
The attack happened on the main road between Rieti, a small town around 80 kilometres by road north of Rome, to Terni in the nearby Umbria region.
A brick smashed through the coach's windscreen and struck Marianella, who emergency services could not revive after arriving at the scene.
