9 injured in paper bomb blast at Italian stadium

Nine supporters were injured when a paper bomb exploded during the Torino-Juventus derby which ended 2-0 in northern Italy's Turin on Sunday, local reports said.

The injured were rushed to hospital while several supporters of both teams were arrested by police for allegedly throwing the paper bomb as well as other devices including smoke bombs and firecrackers.

Turin-based La Stampa newspaper said one girl was in serious conditions, though not in peril of life, after she was hit by the splinters of some seats made explode by the paper bomb at the Olympic stadium.

Hundreds of Torino supporters also hampered traffic outside the stadium as they tried to block a bus which was carrying Juventus supporters. The bus was heavily damaged, ANSA news agency reported.

A recent investigative report carried out by ANSA has highlighted the emergency of growing violence in clashes between supporters and police at Italian football matches.

ANSA found that in the 2013/2014 football season injuries occurred during professional matches registered a 37-percent increase compared to the previous season.

The great part of clashes happened in Serie A games, marking a 35-percent growth of injured among supporters and 80-percent growth among police over the 2012/2013 season.

Local authorities have attempted to tackle the football violence by introducing tougher measures on stadium security, from electronic tickets which allow the identification of supporters to reinforcement of "Daspo," the prohibition to participate to sports events.

Harsh fights between fans, however, have continued to happen every week of the championship.

Last year, a 28-year-old supporter of Napoli who had been shot by a Roma fan before the Italian Cup final on May 3 died from the attack's injuries in a hospital where he had been in intensive care for several weeks.