Ban on Away Fans for Four Clubs
Scene from the Rome Derby in November 2023
Italy is taking a tough stance against violent fan groups in football. The Interior Ministry in Rome has now also banned supporters of Lazio Rome and champions SSC Napoli from attending away matches until the end of the season. This was announced in a statement on Wednesday evening. A week earlier, fans of first-division clubs AS Roma and AC Florence had already been subject to a travel ban.
The reason for the new penalties are serious riots between Lazio and Napoli supporters last Sunday. Clashes occurred on the A1 motorway south of Rome in the early morning hours. Dozens of partially masked individuals, armed with sticks, confronted each other on the northbound carriageway, blocking the motorway for several minutes.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi had already imposed a travel ban for fans of AS Roma and Florence a week earlier until the end of the season. This decision was also made after riots on the A1.