LISBON, Portugal -- A Fiorentina fan has died after being caught up in fighting between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica supporters, ahead of Saturday night's derby between the two clubs.
The 41-year-old Marco Ficini had travelled to Lisbon with a group of friends to support Sporting, which is twinned with Fiorentina.
According to Portuguese media reports, Ficini was hit by a car in the early hours of Saturday morning when trying to escape fighting between Sporting and Benfica supporters near the Benfica stadium.
Both sets of fans ran away before the police arrived, leaving Ficini in the middle of the road. He died in the hospital from his injuries.
An investigation has been opened and police are looking at video surveillance tapes from the scene.
Sporting expressed its "most profound sorrow" in a statement, adding that it "is monitoring the inquiry being undertaken by the authorities, with the objective of identifying those responsible."