Italian football supremo Giancarlo Abete has stressed the national team will not be distracted by the turmoil back home as they prepare for their crucial European Championship qualifier against Scotland.
Much of the country is still trying to come to terms with the death of 26-year-old Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri, who was shot accidentally by a policeman at a motorway service station near Arezzo at the weekend.
Abete, who is spending this week with the national team, announced on Monday that Italy will wear black armbands during Saturday's encounter in memory of Sandri, while all domestic league matches this weekend have been postponed.
However, he hopes the problems the nation is currently experiencing do not affect Italy's bid to qualify.
'This is an important week for Italian football,' said Abete. 'But the national team has the support of the nation and of the football bodies.
'Saturday's encounter is a difficult game but the national team is preparing well for it.'
The Italian Football Association (FIGC) president added: 'This is a difficult time for Italian football and especially for the family of Gabriele Sandri.'
AC Milan midfielder Kaka believes Italian football is 'losing credibility' and has warned of the long-term implications of further violence related to the game.
Sandri's death prompted trouble on the terraces at the game between Atalanta and AC Milan and an angry mob of fans also stormed the Italian Olympic Committee headquarters in Rome later that evening.
The incidents followed a recent chequered history for football in the country, which was rocked by the death of policeman Filippo Raciti during rioting nine months ago as well as a match-fixing scandal.
Kaka said it may put the top players off moving to Serie A.
'First there was Calciopoli (the match-fixing scandal), then the police officer who was killed and now another tragedy,' said the Brazilian.
'A fan who was killed while he was on his way to see a match and these are all blows that hurt the football world.
'The stars all want to play in top teams and in Italy you have some of the most prestigious clubs in the world. These acts of violence risk keeping the star players and champions away from playing in Serie A. Italy is losing credibility.'
