A fan who took an offensive flag about the death of Diego Maradona to Naples has had his membership suspended by the Football Association.
Pictures of the supporter holding a St George’s flag bearing the words “Diego’s In A Box” circulated on social media on the day of England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy in March.
Maradona is adored in Naples for leading the club to their first ever league titles in the 1980s and the flag was considered so inflammatory the FA cancelled the supporter’s ticket for the match. The Argentinian striker, who scored the infamous Hand of God against England in the 1986 World Cup, died in November 2020.
There had been concerns ahead of England’s trip to Italy that there could be trouble in Naples following recent incidents in the city. When Liverpool played Napoli in the Champions League there last September supporters were advised not to wear club colours or congregate in numbers in the city centre.
Indeed, the week before England’s visit hundreds of Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt fans clashed in the city. A police car and other vehicles were set alight and had windows smashed in and riot police were forced to deal with them.
“We strongly condemn the actions of the individual who travelled to Naples with a flag that had a highly offensive message on it,” the governing body said in a statement on the day.
“We immediately took steps to have their tickets cancelled before the match. The matter will be reviewed further when we return to England.”
i has now learned that following the FA’s review the supporter has had his membership to the England Supporters Travel Club suspended by the governing body. He has been offered the right to appeal the decision.
ESTC members are considered the country’s core supporters who pay for priority access to tickets and other perks and make up a large contingent of the away support for games.
It costs £75 for adults and £30 for juniors for a two-year membership with a reduction in fees for those renewing.
Such was the heightened tension around the game that a friendly match between England and Italy fans, scheduled for the day of the Euro 2024 qualifier, was cancelled due to a threat from hooligans. The match was advertised on social media and prompted an email warning that ultras “are coming for you” and that “we will be there. 60 ultra to get you. Be warned”.
A group of England fans always play friendlies with their counterparts ahead of official matches but, despite Italian police offering to provide security for the event, the Italian FA decided to call the game off. The English FA’s head of security, Steve Lewis, had liaised with UK police and Italian officials but it was deemed safer to cancel the fixture.
Some England fans travelled to Napoli’s Diego Armando Maradona Stadium via specially-arranged buses, while others were escorted on foot by police in riot gear carrying batons.
Even so, after England recorded a first victory in Italy since 1961, some fans claimed that Italian authorities attacked them while they tried to enter the stadium. It was claimed they were charged at and hit with batons.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/b0RdWUy
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