In Naples, clashes broke out between fans of Eintracht Frankfurt and the Italian police on the sidelines of the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League. Masked German fans attacked police in the city center with firecrackers and chairs, who then used tear gas. Several cars caught fire.
In the run-up to the game, the Italian authorities issued a ban on ticket sales for Eintracht fans “to protect security”. Hundreds of supporters of the Frankfurt club still came to Naples, as an AFP journalist reported. They gathered in front of their hotel in the afternoon and moved to the city center, where the riots broke out. According to the Corriere dello Sport newspaper, around 800 police officers were on duty. With a view to the riots, the newspaper spoke of a “guerrilla war”.
Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi then reported “crazy and unacceptable devastation.” Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) wrote on Twitter: “This violence tonight is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Violent and chaotic people are destroying the sport.”
Eintracht Frankfurt lost the game against SSC Naples 3-0 in the evening and is therefore eliminated from the Champions League.
But even after the end of the game, the clashes continued. As reported by Italian media, supporters of SSC Napoli tried to get to Eintracht Frankfurt’s team hotel this time. Many fans of the Bundesliga soccer team had stayed nearby and, according to the Ansa news agency, were getting ready to be taken out of town by bus. The Napoli ultras lit firecrackers and threw stones at the emergency services. The police were at the hotel in large numbers.
Source: Stern
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