Outpouring of support for famous Naples pizzeria after suspected mafia bombing

A famous pizzeria in Naples that was bombed in a possible act of intimidation by the Camorra mafia has received messages of solidarity from around the world.

Supporters placed a message on the damaged entrance to the eatery on Thursday which read: “If you mess with pizza, you mess with Naples.”

The outpouring of support coincided with World Pizza Day, an Italian initiative that celebrates the skills and knowledge of the traditional “pizzaiolo” or pizza maker.

Police are investigating the explosion outside the Sorbillo pizzeria, in the heart of Naples, which happened when the restaurant was closed and did not injure anybody.

In the aftermath of the attack, the owner, Gino Sorbillo, posted a photograph on social media of himself holding a handwritten sign which read: “Closed because of a bombing. But we’ll reopen soon.”

He said the bombing was “an attack on legality and on the renaissance of Naples,” which is striving to jettison its reputation for petty crime and poverty.

“Clans within the Camorra are constantly changing their alliances and each time, new groups feel they have to announce themselves, to say ‘here we are, and we’re powerful. They seize on a symbol. And in this case, the symbol was me,” he told Corriere della Sera newspaper.

Mr Sorbillo, a former officer in Italy’s paramilitary Carabinieri police force, has in the past spoken out against organised crime in the port city and believes the bomb was meant as a warning to him and other businessmen.

Five years ago his restaurant was badly damaged by a fire which is believed to have been started intentionally.

Such attacks are used by the Camorra to extort protection money from businesses.

There was also speculation that the bombing might have been carried out by hardcore “ultra” football fans after Mr Sorbillo spoke out recently against racism towards black players.

Police are studying closed circuit television footage of a shadowy figure leaving the explosive device outside the entrance to the pizzeria in the early hours of Wednesday before hurrying down a side street.

The pizzeria has received hundreds of messages of support, including from Italian politicians, Amnesty International and pizza makers as far afield as New York, where Mr Sorbillo has a branch of his well-known restaurant.

Roberto Fico, the speaker of the lower house of parliament, wrote on Twitter: “The state is behind those who do not let themselves be intimidated by the vile attacks of the Camorra.”

Roberto Saviano, a high-profile author who wrote a book about the Camorra called Gomorra, also offered his support. “Gino Sorbillo is telling the truth when he says that the majority of Neapolitans are extraordinary people. Without doubt he is one of them,” he tweeted.

Antonio De Iesu, Naples’ chief of police, said the bomb was “without doubt an attempt at intimidation.”

Matteo Salvini, Italy’s outspoken interior minister and leader of the hard-Right League party, is due to visit the pizzeria on Friday to discuss organised crime and security. He described the attack as “shameful”.