A friendly football match between England and Italy supporters in Naples has been cancelled after a threat from hooligans.
i can reveal that such was the concern around the threat that the English Football Association intervened. The governing body’s head of security, Steve Lewis, an ex-policeman who replaced former security lead Tony Conniford after the Qatar World Cup, liaised with UK police and his counterpart at the Italian FA.
England fans always play friendly games against their counterparts ahead of matches and the friendly was due to take place on Thursday, at 2pm, before Gareth Southgate’s side take on Italy in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
But it was decided by the Italian FA on Monday that the supporters’ game should not go ahead. i understands that Italian police had offered to provide security for the match but that the Italian authorities thought it was not in the spirit of the friendly games and opted to call it off.
Last week, there were clashes between football fans and riot police in Naples when Eintracht Frankfurt fans visited for a Champions League match against Napoli.
The England vs Italy supporters’ match had been advertised on social media – as is common – which prompted the threat of violence.
The email was sent to England fans who had arranged the match warning that ultras “are coming for you”, adding: “You advertise this game for us to see where you’ll be… Stupid man you are. We will be there. 60 ultra to get you. Be warned.”
Football supporters groups in Naples have distanced themselves from the threatening message.
Around 2,500 England plans are due to fly to Italy this week for the first match since England were knocked out of the World Cup by France. It is a repeat of the Euro 2020 final, when England were beaten on penalties.
Southgate has said that the English FA had been given assurances about fan safety in Naples.
“In the end, it’s for the Italian FA to decide where they play their games,” he said. “Clearly, our organisation will always try to make the travelling experience as smooth as possible for our fans and that’s important.
“I think we’ve got to be careful about prejudging any experience. Other people will make sure that it’s as smooth as it possibly can be. From a personal perspective, to go to such a famous football city and having grown up watching Maradona win the title there, they look like they are going to do that again. I have to focus on the bits I can control.”
i was told on Monday that the England supporters travelling to the game had received little safety advice from the governing body.
When Liverpool played in Naples last September, supporters were warned not to wear replica shirts or even club colours, and to avoid congregating in the city centre.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/Xu4ijvr
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