Rioting in Naples before Union game: Eleven Germans arrested
According to media reports, eleven German soccer fans have been arrested following riots before the Champions League match between 1. FC Union Berlin and SSC Napoli. During the night, there were serious clashes between supporters of the Bundesliga club and the police, according to Italian media reports.
Several police officers were injured in the riots. The Union supporters were joined by fans of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Napoli's arch-rivals, reported the Ansa news agency, citing the police.
The Germans threw smoke bombs and firecrackers. Some streets around the central Piazza Dante were blocked by them. Garbage cans and other large objects were tipped over by them. Stores were also vandalized during the riots.
Police increase presence
"The clashes with the emergency services were literally sought out by the German fans," Ansa quoted Naples police chief Maurizio Agricola as saying. The police are now increasing their presence at the match this evening in order to prevent further incidents.
Union Berlin had already called on its fans before the Champions League match on Wednesday evening (18:45/DAZN) to refrain from wearing their fan clothing outside the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, for example. They should also "avoid remote areas of the city of Naples", according to a message from the Union fans. Napoli and the local security authorities had already pointed out the potential risks for soccer fans.
The majority of Union fans - around 2,500 have tickets for the match - were probably only planning to make the journey on the day itself. According to the Eiserner Virus fan club, the trip was planned to be by plane to Rome and from there by bus to Naples. They wanted to avoid a stay in the city at all costs, they said.
There had already been serious rioting by Eintracht Frankfurt fans in Naples in March. At that time, the sale of tickets to fans resident in Frankfurt had been banned, but many supporters had still traveled to Naples.
Source: www.dpa.com
