‘I’m PROUD’: Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis praises horrific actions by club ultras who saw cars set on fire and windows smashed ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt
- The president of Napoli, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has praised the performance of the ‘ultras’ club
- Violent protests erupted ahead of Napoli’s round of 16 clash with Frankfurt
- Thugs set cars on fire, threw projectiles and smashed windows in
The total chaos that broke out in the center of the Italian city of Naples on Wednesday night has been staggeringly praised by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
It was a scene of terror on the streets ahead of Napoli’s Champions League round of 16 clash with Eintracht Frankfurt as ‘ultras’ from the Italian side rioted in the city and damaged property.
Cars, including a police vehicle, were set on fire, projectiles were thrown, and windows were smashed by fans. Now his behavior has been praised by the Napoli boss, who has admitted that he is “proud” of his bully behaviour.
Speaking at a news conference Thursday morning in response to the horrific scenes that dominated headlines, De Laurentiis drew uncanny comparisons to English soccer and the actions of former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
‘Probably those who shouted ‘Naples is us’ yesterday were outside the stadium, chasing the Germans in the city or doing guerrillas with the police. And yesterday Maradona was an English stadium.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has praised the actions of his club’s bullying fans.
Hundreds of Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt fans have clashed in Naples, Italy ahead of the team’s Champions League game tonight.
A police car and other vehicles were also set on fire, while car windows were smashed across the street.
‘And I’m proud to have given this image to people, to those who have followed us on television around the world.
‘Now politics has to deal with the problem and I hope that [Giorgia] Meloni will do it as the only prime minister who had the courage: the British Margaret Thatcher. UEFA?
He represents himself. Just think about what happened in Paris for the Champions League final… [Ursula] Von der Leyen must also consider the problem.
“Because in Europe there are tens of millions of fans who must be respected and protected, in the face of a violent fringe.”
More criminal acts then ensued as riot police arrived to try to disperse crowds that had formed in some of the city’s historic streets, as the situation risked getting worse.
The police were finally able to have everything under control and the Italian exit Gazzetta report that eight people – five Italians and three Germans – were detained for their violent involvement.
Cars in the city center of Naples had to be extinguished by firefighters after being set on fire
A police car was set on fire amid violent clashes between Napoli and Frankfurt supporters
Riot police were called in to disperse violent crowds causing trouble ahead of Napoli’s round of 16 clash with Frankfurt.
Tensions were already running high in the build-up to the Champions League knockout clash after Napoli denied German supporters traveling from Frankfurt tickets for the game after earlier riots in the first leg.
Hundreds of supporters of the Bundesliga club were still making their way into the city to try to support their team, which trailed 2-0 on aggregate and was herded by police through Piazza del Gesu before clashing with ‘ultras’ ‘ from Naples.
De Laurentiis also suggested that the visiting fans were to blame for the problems, as he accused them of “smoking marijuana”.
‘Sport is such if the fans are healthy. And families should go to the stadium, not those who want to sell or smoke marijuana.