Rome  - Coach Fabio Capello has criticized Italian football for being unable to control hooligans who influence the games with their violent behaviour, Italian media reported Monday.

"Here the ultras are in control and do what they want," Capello said at a conference held at the headquarters of the Italian football federation (Italian football federation
(FIGC).

"At the stadium you can insult anyone and everything. I'm sorry about that."

Capello won five titles in Italy, two with Real Madrid, and is now in charge of England.

"In Spain there is much respect. Families go to the stadium with their children. It's a different world," he said.

Capello also praised England and its stadiums, saying he was "sorry about what is happening in Italy. The decline is and will be more and more evident. It would be enough to apply the law."

Gianni Petrucci, the president of the Italian Olympic committee (CONI), denied that ultras were in command in Italy.

"Absolutely no," Petrucci said. "Capello has coached in Italy, I am a friend of his and I don't like that when you are abroad you give opinions about your own country.

"These are declarations that do not enthusiasm me and find little time for consideration. It's easy to talk from above."

FIGC president Giancarlo Abete also disagreed with Capello's criticism.

"Sometimes the image of our fans is such that the behaviour of many is confused with that of few," Abete said. "Data shows that violent episodes have decreased."

But Capello was supported by Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli, who said he "fully agreed" with his colleague.

"Fortunately, in these years in Florence there has been a great relationship with the fans," Prandelli said. "Mostly because the (club) owners made clear that certain behaviours would not be accepted."(dpa)