Rome - Schools in Italy remained closed Thursday as teachers went on strike over controversial education reforms adopted by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government.

Thousands of students, parents and teachers joined protest marches organized by the country's major labour unions in several cities.

Leaders of the centre-left opposition which is supporting the strike also joined the protest marches.

Around mid-morning, a crowd began moving from Rome's Piazza Repubblica square towards the central Piazza del Popolo square where the protest was set to culminate with speeches by leaders of the main CGIL, CISL and UIl unions.

Milan - A fan of Juventus was in intensive care in a Bologna hospital Thursday with a skull trauma suffered in a clash with hooligans.

Rome - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government won Wednesday final parliamentary approval for controversial education reforms, against which thousands of students are staging protests around the country.

The Italian Senate, the upper house of parliament, approved the decree by 162 votes for to 134 against with three abstentions.

News of the decree's approval was greeted with jeers of "Clowns! Clowns!," by students staging a sit-in outside the Senate's Palazzo Madama building in central Rome.

Protests are expected to culminate in a strike Thursday called by Italy's main labour unions.

Milan - Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho did not hide his bitterness after his side's dull performance against Genoa and threatened major changes Wednesday when the champions visit Fiorentina for a big mid-week tie.

A scoreless home draw against Genoa cost Inter the league lead with Udinese now on top on 17 points, ahead on goal difference over Inter and Napoli.

"The coach is always responsible, but the players must do what I say," Mourinho said.

"In the second half this did not always happen. Evidently, some players don't know me well enough. Maybe they'll begin to learn when I name the line-up on Tuesday."

Berlin - Germany is likely to back the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dominique Strauss-Kahn, despite allegations against him, the news magazine Der Spiegel said Saturday.

A investigation by a law firm has been under way into claims that the French politician had an affair with a woman subordinate. Spiegel said the inquiry commissioned by the IMF had been completed.

Soelden, Austria - Italian skier Elena Fancini will miss the entire World Cup season with a knee injury.