ROME – The Italian football federation will no longer request tickets for away games involving the World Cup champions until it brings fan violence under control.

Italy's 0-0 draw in Bulgaria on Saturday was marred when visiting fans shouted fascist slogans on their way to the stadium and started rioting once they got inside, swinging belts and throwing objects toward Bulgaria supporters, reports said.

Police brought the situation under control but then Bulgaria fans whistled during the playing of the Italian anthem and Italian fans burned Bulgarian flags, the ANSA news agency reported.

“From now on, for Italy's away games, we will no longer request tickets for our fans until we have made the necessary checks and we are certain (it won't happen again),” federation president Giancarlo Abete said Monday.

Abete also said security would be increased for Wednesday's Group 8 game with Montenegro in Lecce, Italy.

“We're very bitter and pained about what happened Saturday in Sofia,” Abete said, according to the federation's Web site. “The behavior was unacceptable and it caused damage to the entire country's image.”