2007年VOA标准英语-Italians Mourn Policeman Killed at Soccer Game

By Sabina Castelfranco
Rome
05 February 2007

People gather outside Catania's Duomo Cathedral, Sicily,  during the funeral service of Police officer Filippo Raciti, 5 Feb 2007

A funeral for a policemen killed in clashes following a soccer game in Sicily drew thousands of people. Soccer crazy Italy has been shocked by the violence that followed a top league game. Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome

Thousands of mourners packed Catania Cathedral in Sicily for the funeral of 38-year-old policeman, Filippo Raciti, who was killed in soccer violence last Friday. Tears streaked¹ down the faces of many of those attending the service. A large crowd also gathered outside in the square in front of the church.

A huge applause broke out when the coffin² of the policeman, draped in the Italian flag, was brought into the church. During the service, a telegram by the pope was read in which Benedict expressed firm condemnation³ for violent acts that stain the game of soccer.

In his homily, Monsignor Paolo Romeo said, we are gathered here together to give our dutiful farewell to a brother in faith and loyal and proud servant of the state.

The policeman was killed during clashes with hooligans following a top league match between Palermo and Catania. More than 100 people were injured in the violence.

Soccer-crazy Italians, who last summer celebrated⁴ a World Cup victory, were shocked by the riots. All soccer matches in the country were banned indefinitely and authorities and soccer federation⁵ officials have pledged to establish emergency measures before the ban is lifted.

Measures that are being considered include barring organized groups of fans from following their teams at away games, stiffening⁶ penalties and limiting the number of fans allowed in stadiums considered unsafe.

Italy's interior minister, Giuliano Amato, is set to report to the lower house on soccer violence on Tuesday. He has said that the violence must stop, or the games will. But the economic impact of not allowing a quick return to play could be huge. The soccer industry in Italy is worth an estimated $7 billion a year.

1 streaked   

adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹

参考例句：

• The children streaked off as fast as they could. 孩子们拔脚飞跑 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• His face was pale and streaked with dirt. 他脸色苍白，脸上有一道道的污痕。 来自辞典例句

2 coffin   

n.棺材，灵柩

参考例句：

• When one's coffin is covered,all discussion about him can be settled.盖棺论定。
• The coffin was placed in the grave.那口棺材已安放到坟墓里去了。

3 condemnation   

n.谴责; 定罪

参考例句：

• There was widespread condemnation of the invasion. 那次侵略遭到了人们普遍的谴责。
• The jury's condemnation was a shock to the suspect. 陪审团宣告有罪使嫌疑犯大为震惊。

4 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

5 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

6 stiffening   

n. (使衣服等)变硬的材料, 硬化 动词stiffen的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• Her mouth stiffening, she could not elaborate. 她嘴巴僵直，无法细说下去。
• No genius, not a bad guy, but the attacks are hurting and stiffening him. 不是天才，人也不坏，但是四面八方的攻击伤了他的感情，使他横下了心。