Last Update: January 09, 2023, 22:19 IST
Napoli players (AFP image)
Napoli fans were traveling to Genoa to watch their team beat Sampdoria 4–0, while Roma supporters were on their way to AC Milan where their team drew 2–2.
Napoli on Monday condemned “so-called supporters” who, along with fans of rival club Roma, caused chaos on a major Italian motorway at the weekend.
Napoli fans were traveling to Genoa to watch their team beat Sampdoria 4–0, while Roma supporters were on their way to AC Milan where their team drew 2–2.
Hardcore “Ultra” supporters of both teams were involved in serious clashes on the A1 motorway on Sunday afternoon after they collided with each other at the Badia al Pino service station in Tuscany.
Read this also | Gareth Bale announces retirement from club and international football
Nicknamed the “Sunshine Motorway”, the A1 runs from Naples to Rome and then to Milan in northern Italy.
“Napoli strongly condemns the behavior of so-called supporters, who unfortunately still attend football matches in Italy, including causing disruption and danger to true fans,” Napoli said in a statement.
“He instilled fear even among people who had nothing to do with football on the A1 motorway.”
Video posted on social media by public broadcaster RAI showed dozens of supporters fighting with flares, belts and bats as police sirens sounded.
Italian media reported police as saying that the ongoing fighting caused the motorway to be blocked for 50 minutes, causing queues as long as 15 kilometres.
“It was an insane act that put people traveling on one of the country’s most important roads in grave danger,” said Roberto Rossi, the chief public prosecutor in Arezzo.
Napoli highlighted how football hooliganism has decreased in England since the 1980s, calling on the Italian government to “swiftly take appropriate measures of a radical nature”.
“It is unacceptable for violent people to travel all over Italy and participate in stadiums without consequences,” Napoli said.
Football Federation head Gabriele Gravina condemned what happened as “shameful”, adding that “institutions can and should do more”.
“These people have nothing to do with the game and should be punished,” he said.
Football violence is not as widespread in Italy as it was in the past but occasional high-profile clashes between fans have brought the issue back into the spotlight.
In December 2018 a fan was killed by a passing van during a major fight between Inter Milan and Napoli fans just a few minutes’ walk from the San Siro.
read all Latest sports news Here
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)