A Chelsea supporter has shared the harrowing details of a violent ambush by Napoli ultras that left his friend stabbed with a screwdriver, casting a dark shadow over the eve of the Blues' crucial Champions League fixture in Italy.
Violent Ambush in Naples Side Street
The terrifying incident occurred on Tuesday night, just hours before Chelsea were due to face Napoli in their final Champions League group stage match of the campaign. Aadam, a 23-year-old Chelsea fan who chose not to disclose his surname, was among a group of seven supporters who found themselves targeted in what he describes as a calculated attack.
"We decided to go to another pub where a few of our other friends were about a 10-minute walk away," Aadam told The Telegraph. "Everything was good-natured, we weren't being loud or talking about Chelsea. Unfortunately, we turned down a side street and there was a group of about 30 ultras."
Screwdriver Attack and Chase
The assailants, who were not wearing Napoli colours and had half their faces covered, immediately began shouting "where are you from?" before the situation turned violent. Aadam's friend Marcus was grabbed and stabbed in the leg with a screwdriver, while another member of their group had his coat sliced by a sharp object.
"It was terrifying and you start to think the worst, that you're all going to end up getting stabbed," Aadam recalled of the moment the attack unfolded. The group then fled for approximately a mile and a half with some of the ultras giving chase, before fortunately encountering police officers who called an ambulance for the injured Marcus.
Chelsea's Response and Safety Measures
Chelsea Football Club has been in contact with the affected supporters since the attack and issued a strong statement on Tuesday evening as news of the violence spread. The club has urged travelling fans to avoid wearing Chelsea colours and not to travel alone ahead of the match at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Additional safety measures have been implemented, including a free shuttle service with police escort to transport supporters safely to the stadium. These precautions reflect growing concerns about fan safety at European away fixtures, particularly in cities with histories of football-related violence.
Psychological Impact and Future Travel Concerns
The attack has left both Aadam and Marcus seriously shaken, with the pair now debating whether to attend Wednesday night's crucial Champions League match. "We're both thinking about whether or not to go," Aadam admitted. "We've been shaken up by what happened and now we just don't know how safe it will be."
The incident has prompted broader reflections about fan safety in European football destinations. Aadam, who has previously travelled with Chelsea across Europe without incident, noted this experience would make him reconsider which cities he visits for future matches. "This is our first time in Naples and it will probably be my last," he stated, adding that they planned to cut their trip short and travel to Rome instead.
The attack comes as Chelsea, under new head coach Liam Rosenior, prepare to face Napoli in a match that could determine their Champions League progression. Approximately 2,500 Chelsea supporters were expected to make the journey to Italy for the fixture, which pits Rosenior against former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte in what promises to be a tactical battle between two familiar dugout opponents.
