体坛英语新闻：Genoa, Sampdoria matches postponed in wake of deadly bridge collapse

ROME, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two matches involving Genoa and Sampdoria have been postponed at the request of both soccer teams in the wake of a deadly bridge collapse in the city of Genoa, Italy's Serie A League said in a statement on Thursday.

Both teams are based in the northwestern port city, where the collapse of a much-traveled highway viaduct on Tuesday claimed the lives of 39 men, women and children, injured over a dozen people, and displaced over 600 residents from their homes.

AC Milan-Genoa and Sampdoria-Fiorentina were set to be played at the opening of the Serie A season on Sunday. The matches have been "postponed to a date to be defined" due to "the tragedy that has struck the city of Genoa," the statement said.

All other matches scheduled Sunday will begin with a minute of silence in memory of the victims, the League said.

In a statement, Sampdoria President Massimo Ferrero said the postponement "is a significant act of solidarity" that won't be forgotten by the people of Genoa.

On Thursday, hundreds of rescuers were still digging through the rubble in hopes of finding 10-20 missing people.

The government has declared a state of emergency for the Liguria region where Genoa is located.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will attend a state funeral to be held for the victims in Genoa on Saturday, the premier's office said.