Hundreds of Eintracht Frankfurt fans riot in Naples ahead of Champions League round of 16

2023-03-16 16:03

Hundreds of Eintracht Frankfurt fans riot in Naples ahead of Champions League round of 16


Today, the "Lightning Army" Naples easily defeated Frankfurt 3-0 at home in the second round of the UEFA Champions League round of 16, and firmly won the ticket to the Champions League quarter-finals with a total score of 5-0. But before the game, hundreds of fans of the visiting team staged a thrilling riot in the center of Naples .


It is reported that hundreds of Frankfurt fans wreaked havoc in the center of Naples at that time, and even set fire to fill the surrounding area with smoke, causing the people of Naples in the area to fall into panic and crisis. However, after the police arrived to deal with it, the fans directly clashed with the police, exacerbating the chaos at the scene.


The police dispatched a squad of 20 riot police to control the situation, risking their lives into the city center with riot shields in hand. However, crowds of fans did not budge and threw fireworks at the police, with a police car appearing to be engulfed in flames.


Italian sports journalists also posted on social media, saying, "Hundreds of visiting team fans and riot police clashed in the city center. This shocking scene is currently being staged in Naples . Naples has become a hostage for more than 300 rioting fans."


Hundreds of Eintracht Frankfurt fans riot in Naples ahead of Champions League round of 16


The riot was severely condemned by all parties


Italy's deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, criticized the riots, saying the fans were not football lovers at all, but a group of criminals and lawbreakers. At the same time, Salvini is also worried about whether they will continue to create such turmoil in Germany. He urged the German government to stand in the position of the police force to protect the people as much as possible.


The mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, also expressed his anger. He condemned the violent destruction of the city center by these extreme fans. Leading to serious material, moral and image losses."


Hundreds of Eintracht Frankfurt fans riot in Naples ahead of Champions League round of 16


Manfredi also stated that he would meet with the German ambassador to Italy, Victor Erbling, to deal with the riot severely. At the same time, Naples also reiterated that the strong relationship with Germany will not be affected by this matter.


It is worth mentioning that the bad behavior of Frankfurt extreme fans in the UEFA Champions League is not the first case. Earlier, Frankfurt fans also caused riots in the UEFA Champions League match with Marseille in September. After that, UEFA accused the fans of lighting fireworks, throwing objects and Destructive racism.