Chelsea Fan Recounts Terrifying Stabbing Attack by Napoli Ultras in Naples
A Chelsea supporter who was among a group chased and assaulted by an estimated '20 or 30' Napoli ultras ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League encounter has spoken of his profound shock after being stabbed during the violent incident.
As detailed in reports, two Chelsea fans required hospital treatment on Tuesday evening for injuries that were fortunately not life-threatening. Witnesses described how the supporters were targeted while walking to a bar in the Italian city, ambushed by a group of Napoli 'ultras' – a term commonly used for hardcore, organised fan groups in European football.
'It Was Definitely a Shock'
One of the travelling Blues fans, a 22-year-old named Marcus, shared a graphic image of his blood-soaked hand on social media with a stark warning: 'Nobody go out in Naples tonight is ROUGHH [sic]'. He was later discharged from hospital overnight.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Marcus, who was with 'seven or eight' friends, provided a chilling account of the attack. 'We turned a corner - it wasn't technically an alleyway, but it felt like one because there were no lights,' he recounted. 'There were about 20 or 30 people, all in black, walking towards us as soon as we made eye contact. Some people knew what was happening and ran straight away.'
He described the moment of realisation: 'It was definitely a shock. Everyone was shaken up when we eventually found the police. I was in shorts and they were covered in blood, with blood going all down my leg.'
Marcus believes the weapon used was either a screwdriver or a Stanley blade. 'I didn't really feel it until I started running away. My left cheek felt heavy, almost, and as soon as I touched it my hand was covered in blood.' He has since reported the incident to local police in Naples and intended to attend the match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Club Issues Safety Warning Amid Violent History
The other injured fan was treated in hospital after being punched and kicked. In response to the attack, Chelsea Football Club released an official statement urging all travelling supporters to exercise 'extreme caution' while in Naples.
'The club is aware of an incident that took place on Tuesday evening in Naples,' the statement read. 'Two fans are being treated in hospital, having sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The club would like to remind all supporters to exercise extreme caution whilst in the city and take note of the advice shared ahead of this fixture.'
Local police and Napoli have not publicly commented on this specific incident. However, the city has a notorious reputation for being a dangerous destination for visiting football fans. For this fixture, 2,500 tickets were allocated to Chelsea supporters, with police escorts accompanying free shuttle buses to the stadium as a security measure.
A Pattern of Violence Involving Napoli Ultras
This attack is not an isolated event but part of a long and troubling history of away fans being targeted by Napoli's organised ultra groups.
- In 2023, hundreds of England fans were confined to buses and driven around Naples in cramped conditions for their own safety ahead of a Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy. This drastic action was taken after the UK Football Policing Unit received intelligence of a 'credible threat' from the notorious ultras.
- Days before that international match, a planned friendly between England and Italy fans was abruptly cancelled. Organisers received a menacing email warning that 60 Napoli ultras were 'coming for you', adding 'you be warned only 1 time'.
- Last October, Napoli ultras clashed violently with Sporting Lisbon supporters before a Champions League match, resulting in a large-scale brawl where chairs were thrown.
- During Napoli's 2023 fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt, serious violence erupted. Eight people were arrested, 470 travelling Frankfurt supporters were expelled from the country, several police cars were set alight, and two police officers were injured.
The recurrence of such violent episodes underscores the persistent safety challenges faced by away supporters in Naples, casting a shadow over what should be a celebration of elite European football.
