( CNN ) -- UEFA have promised a `` full and thorough investigation '' into the violence that forced Italy 's Euro 2012 qualifying match with Serbia to be abandoned on Tuesday night . Disturbances around the ground in Genoa meant kick-off had to be put back 35 minutes and once the match started Serbian supporters threw flares onto the pitch and let off fireworks . Referee Craig Thomson stopped play after just six minutes when visiting fans hurled a flare towards Italy goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano and the match was quickly called off . Police and firefighters struggled to contain the Serbian fans , who threw objects at their Italian counterparts , cut protective netting and tried to smash Perspex barriers . AFP reported that 16 people had been hospitalized and 17 arrested on what Italy coach Cesare Prandelli told reporters had been a `` night of torment . '' On Wednesday AFP said Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told reporters : `` I have just received a phone call from Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic , who presented a formal apology from the government . '' Jeremic vowed `` to intensify the search for those responsible and to capture the criminals who will be punished to set an example , '' Frattini added . European football 's governing body said that sanctions open to them include disqualifying Serbia from Euro 2012 and excluding them from future competitions . UEFA 's statement read : `` Following the abandonment of yesterday 's UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match between Italy and Serbia at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa after only six minutes of play , UEFA has confirmed it has immediately opened a full and thorough disciplinary investigation into the incidents of serious disorder witnessed at the match and the circumstances surrounding it . `` Once the full dossier is completed , with the assistance of both the referee and delegate reports , the matter will be put before the independent UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body for further review and possible sanctions . `` The sanctions that are available to the Control and Disciplinary Body can be found in the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations , edition 2008 , Article 14 , and range from a reprimand or fine , up to a stadium closure or `` disqualification from competitions in progress and/or exclusion from future competitions '' . `` The proposed date for the meeting of the Control and Disciplinary Body to hear this case is Thursday 28 October . ''
UEFA promise full investigation into violence at Article 14 qualifier between Italy and Italy . Match was abandoned after Tuesday night of play as European fans threw flares and fireworks . Serbian Foreign Minister Frattini apologizes to Italy , it is reported .