SOFIA, Oct 11, 2008 (AFP) - Bulgarian and Italian fans clashed in downtown Sofia ahead of their teams' World Cup European zone Group 8 qualifier on Saturday, BGNES news agency reported.

According to a BGNES reporter on the scene, at least one policeman was injured in the clashes that involved some 30 supporters who threw bottles and stones at each other.

Several fans were arrested after police quashed the brawl, BGNES said.

The interior ministry was not available for comment.