Italian political leaders vowed on Monday to crack down on rowdy soccer followers after Roma and Napoli supporters clashed at a motorway service space, forcing authorities briefly to close the principle highway linking the north and south.
“Motorway closed and Italian travellers stranded. The culprits should pay for the damage from their own pockets, and never go to the stadium again,” mentioned Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, head of the coalition League occasion.
The followers, who’ve a protracted historical past of enmity, clashed in and round a motorway service station on the A1 motorway in Tuscany.
Napoli ultras threw stones and smoke bombs from the facet of the highway on the passing Roma followers, who stopped their minivans to retaliate. The skirmishes between hooded youths unfold to the service station forecourt earlier than police restored order.
A Roma fan who had required medical remedy after the clashes was later arrested whereas police mentioned they’d use video pictures to establish different suspects.
The Napoli followers have been heading north to Genoa for a sport towards Sampdoria, whereas the Roma followers have been additionally driving north en path to Milan the place their group confronted AC Milan.
Italy has a protracted historical past of soccer violence, with golf equipment struggling to manage the actions of the hard-core extremely teams who are sometimes accused of hyperlinks with legal gangs.
