Xavi: 'Difficult to stop football violence'

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has admitted that it is difficult for football's authorities to stamp out violence outside stadiums.

Spanish football was shocked on Sunday when it was revealed that a Deportivo La Coruna supporter had lost his life following clashes with rival Atletico Madrid fans before their La Liga clash.

Xavi believes that it would be tough to stop the violence, while paying his respects to the 43-year-old man.

"I don't know if there is any way to stop it. These things should never be allowed to happen," he told Barca's official website.

"I just want to express my condolences to the family and Deportivo."

Atletico won the La Liga clash 2-0 at the Vicente Calderon.