Eintracht Frankfurt game in Naples: tough penalties required

NAfter the violent clashes in Naples the supporters of Eintracht Frankfurt have largely been taken out of the city. As the Italian news agency Ansa reported on Thursday, the violent football fans were taken by bus and under police protection to Naples airport, Salerno and Rome during the night and early morning, from where they were to start their journey home to Germany.

The transport was delayed during the night when hooligans SSC Naples wanted to advance to hotels near the port. Numerous Frankfurt fans stayed in one, and the Eintracht team stayed in another. Clashes broke out between the supporters’ groups and the police in the nearby streets.

In Italy, there was great outrage over the events of the day and night. There was strong criticism that this escalation could occur, although it was known that violent supporters from Frankfurt would come to Naples despite a ticket ban. A special meeting of the security authorities in the city has been scheduled for this Thursday.

Lega: Germany should “pay for damage”

The Italian government called for the serious riots around the Champions League game by Eintracht Frankfurt in Naples harsh penalties. “I hope these criminals will be brought to justice,” Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said. His solidarity applies “to the police forces and the city of Naples in the face of this serious violence”.

The right-wing governing party Lega Matteo Salvini also made demands on the German government in view of the clashes between supporters of Eintracht and SSC Napoli with the police. This should “pay for the damage,” it said: “The Ministry of the Interior was right when it asked for a transfer ban for these hooligans.”

Before the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League between Napoli and Eintracht (3-0) there were violent riots by both fan groups in the city center on Wednesday. Italian media reported “guerrilla” fighting in the streets and alleys of the city.

According to Ansa, seven people were initially arrested because of those riots and the attack by the Naples Ultras in the night, all of whom are said to be supporters of the top Italian team. It was said that further arrests could follow. According to an initial reconstruction by the Italian media, the situation escalated in the afternoon when Napoli fan groups attacked Frankfurt supporters and police officers in the central Piazza del Gesu. The Eintracht Ultras had previously marched through the city together, singing provocative songs against Naples.

During the clashes, the hooligans threw stones, flares, tables and chairs at opposing fans and the police, among other things. They used tear gas. A police car was set on fire and several outside areas of bars and restaurants were destroyed.

Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, who spoke to Interior Minister Patteo Piantedosi on Wednesday, later reported of “crazy and unacceptable devastation.” Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faser (SPD) wrote on Twitter: “This violence tonight is to be condemned in the strongest terms. Violent criminals and chaos are destroying the sport.”