Damage Seen in Naples Following Clashes Involving Soccer Fans

Damage was seen on the streets of Naples, Italy, on March 16, following clashes involving soccer fans and police ahead of the local team Napoli’s Champions League game with German side Eintracht Frankfurt the night before.

In response to social media footage showing disturbances in the city, the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, said: “I’m monitoring what happened between our streets. An unacceptable guerrilla climate,” according to a machine translation.

Local media reported that around 600 Eintracht Frankfurt “ultras” had descended on the city center before the game. The group were said to have damaged buildings, thrown objects, and set fire to a police vehicle.

In response, police were reported to have used tear gas and attempted to keep the Frankfurt fans contained in Piazza del Gesu Nuovo, while Napoli fans gathered nearby, throwing missiles at Frankfurt fans travelling in a bus, according to local reports.

Writing on Twitter, Italy’s deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, said, according to a machine translation: “These are not fans, they are criminals. Who knows if in Germany they would make the same mess … Maximum solidarity and support to the police forces.”

Napoli won 3-0 on the night to advance in the competition. Credit: Salvatore Amoroso/spazionapoli.it via Storyful