Two Liverpool fans have been stabbed in Naples ahead of the Reds’ Europa League clash with Napoli in the city.
There have been a number of skirmishes reported, according to Italian police and British consular staff, with the most serious seeing a 53-year-old man from Liverpool and a 27-year-old man from Blackpool suffer stab wounds.
A spokesman for the British consulate in Naples said: “We have had reports of various incidents across the city and three people have been stabbed. Two Liverpool supporters suffered knife wounds and will be kept in hospital for a few days and probably miss the match.
“Another supporter was also stabbed but he discharged himself because he wanted to go to the match. Three other fans suffered minor injuries after being assaulted and we are working with police to keep an eye on things.”
Four members of a British family were also attacked on Wednesday, as around 1,000 Liverpool supporters arrived in the city. Three local men arrested following the incident and police will hold a press conference at noon local time at which they are expected to release more information.
“We are still gathering information with regards to yesterday’s incidents,” a Naples police spokesperson said. “Four people of the same family, a father, a mother and their two sons, were attacked last night and needed medical attention. Due to the aggression, three Naples citizens were arrested.”
All three have criminal records and one man has been convicted of football-related violence and is banned from Napoli’s Stadio San Paolo.
