LESSON LEARNT! Inter Milan's fans sit by a flag reading "Ultra Free" during their match against Cagliari at San Siro stadium in Milan on April 17. PHOTO: AFP

Italy's new zero tolerance policy towards crowd violence ensured the weekend's Serie A matches passed off peacefully.

The Italian government were forced to step up security measures after hooliganism marred the two Champions League quarter-finals involving Serie A clubs last week and the league match between Lazio and Livorno.

To quell the threat of disorder at this Sunday's matches, police officers frisked supporters thoroughly as they entered the grounds and confiscated flares, firecrackers, lighters and offensive banners.

Dozens of extra officers were called in for the two potential flashpoints - the Lombardy derby between Brescia and Atalanta and the Tuscan derby between Livorno and Fiorentina - and both games were free of trouble.

Juventus' general director Luciano Moggi welcomed the tighter security controls, but insisted everyone had a role to play in making stadiums safer - not just the police.

"Most people come to the stadium to see a match, not anything else and the appeal (for stricter policing) made several days ago has helped," he said.

"However, I say that if everybody involved with football, from the fans to the players, played their part, there would be no need for these appeals.

"I hope that a day like this one has sent out a warning to everyone. People want to enjoy themselves when they go to watch football and they want to be able to bring young children. After all, it's just a game, not a war."

On Friday, UEFA, European football's governing body, handed Inter Milan a four-match stadium ban after their Champions League quarter-final, second leg against city rivals AC Milan was abandoned 18 minutes from time.

Play was halted at the San Siro on Tuesday after Inter fans threw dozens of flares on to the pitch, one of which struck and burned Milan keeper Nelson Dida.

Inter will play their next four matches in continental competition behind-closed-doors with an additional two-match ban activated should a further offence be committed in the next three years.

Anti-riot police used teargas to disperse an angry mob of Juventus fans from attacking Liverpool fans before Wednesday's clash in Turin.

It was the clubs' first meeting in Italy since the Heysel disaster 20 years ago in which 39 Juventus fans died when a wall collapsed as they tried to escape from advancing Liverpool supporters.