Chelsea have issued an urgent plea for supporters to exercise caution after two Blues fans were reportedly stabbed in Naples.
The alarming incident happened on Tuesday night, January 27, the evening before the Premier League side’s pivotal Champions League encounter against Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday, January 28. Prior to travelling to the fixture, Chelsea had already alerted their supporters about the possibility of attacks on visiting fans in the southern Italian city.
Official details regarding what precisely happened to the supporters remain unclear. Witnesses claim fans were attacked as they walked to a pub, with one supporter saying he and a friend were stabbed after he was allegedly chased by 25 Napoli ultras, before going to hospital.
(Image: PA)
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The Italian city has an unwanted long history of away supporters being targeted during European competitions. Chelsea have advised fans to remain vigilant about their surroundings and demonstrate “extreme caution”, reports Football London.
In a statement, a Chelsea spokesman said: “The club is aware of an incident that took place on Tuesday evening in Naples. Two fans are being treated in hospital, having sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
“The club would like to remind all supporters to exercise extreme caution whilst in the city and take note of the advice shared ahead of this fixture.”
(Image: Ciro De Luca/NurPhoto)
The club refrained from revealing specifics about the circumstances that led to the supporters requiring hospital treatment. Nevertheless, they had previously cautioned about potential assaults on fans in the run-up to the fixture.
Supporters were also advised against donning any clothing that would mark them out as Chelsea fans while in the city before the match. Local police authorities have yet to release any statement concerning the incident.
In October, violent scenes erupted in Naples before Napoli’s home fixture with Sporting Lisbon. Fans from both clubs clashed in the streets, hurling various projectiles including chairs, glass bottles and chains at one another.
Italian media reported six Napoli supporters were detained while a Sporting fan required hospital treatment for injuries that weren’t life-threatening. Similar chaotic scenes unfolded in 2023 when Napoli welcomed Eintracht Frankfurt.
(Image: Photo by CIRO FUSCO/ANSA/AFP via Getty Images)
Clashes broke out between rival supporters after Frankfurt fans were spotted battling police and torching vehicles. The mayhem prompted Napoli fans to retaliate, with reports suggesting coaches transporting Frankfurt supporters came under attack from alleged Napoli ultras on the streets.
The fixture between Napoli and Chelsea carries enormous significance for both sides. Liam Rosenior’s team require a win, potentially by a substantial margin, to secure their spot in the top eight.
Meanwhile, Napoli must claim all three points to guarantee their progression to the play-off round. The encounter will also mark Antonio Conte’s first Champions League reunion with Chelsea.
He clinched the Serie A title with Napoli last season, but has found it challenging to build momentum in the Champions League, with a record of two wins, two draws and three losses.
In other news, Rosenior has been forced to quash rumours that Cole Palmer is unhappy at Stamford Bridge, firmly denying any suggestions the midfielder is seeking a transfer away from the club.