Napoli v Liverpool: 3 Italians charged with attempted murder flwing unrest in Naples

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Napoli v Liverpool: three Italians charged with attempted murder following unrest in Naples

Six Liverpool fans have been injured and three Italians charged with attempted murder after a series of attacks on travelling supporters in Naples on Wednesday night.

By Rory Smith in Naples
Published: 1:28PM BST 21 Oct 2010

Jamie Carragher (left) and Roy Hodgson talk to the media on the eve of tonight's game in Naples Photo: AP

Gary Brown, 50, was taken to hospital on Wednesday night with knife wounds to the thigh and head injuries after being confronted by a group of ultras in a bar near the city’s train station at 4am Thursday morning. His son, Adam Brown, 17, suffered bruising in the attack, while Ross Hazeldene, 23, was stabbed in the same attack. All three have been released from hospital. Daniel Brown, 23, escaped unharmed.

In a separate attack Alexander Phillips, 53, and an unnamed 27 year-old were taken to hospital after they were stabbed, though a police spokesman said their injuries were not life-threatening. The violent attacks followed reports in Il Mattino Napoli, a Neapolitan daily newspaper, that “Naples will host Liverpool in tomorrow night’s Europa League, and the city expects around 1,000 hooligans from one of the most violent fringes of English football supporters."

Three men - Mirko Fiorentino, Gerardo Lucio and Marco Marzano - were arrested in connection with the attack and have been charged with attempted murder. A variety of weapons - including cudgels, knives, a baseball bat, an iron bar studded with screws and a plank of wood fitted with nails - were recovered, along with ultra flags and literature, at the scene and the homes of the accused.

Naples police said this morning that there had been a string of attacks on Liverpool fans throughout the city’s old town, though only three were described as serious. Dr Filippo Bonfiglio, head of the city’s DIGOS anti-terror unit, confirmed two more Liverpool fans had been injured while an Italian restaurant owner was injured as he tried to protect a family of tourists being pelted with bottles and stones by local fans. “There is a violent element among Napoli’s support,” he said. “We suspected attacks like this may have occurred but we could not patrol the entire city. There was no provocation at all from the Liverpool supporters.”

Police have launched what Dr Bonfiglio described as “an extraordinary plan” to ensure the safety of the 1,000 Liverpool fans estimated to be attending Roy Hodgson’s side’s Europa League tie with Napoli tonight. Supporters arriving at the city’s airport and train station have been handed leaflets detailing where they should go to guarantee their security. Free buses will shuttle fans to Santa Lucia, the city’s port area, and take them to and from San Paolo, Napoli’s 60,000-capacity stadium, before and after the game.

Dr Bonfiglio admitted violence is a problem among a small section of Napoli’s fans. Though ultras are commonly regarded as hooligans, he was at pains to stress that only a percentage of the club’s hardcore support were responsible for the attacks. “There is a problem,” he added. “But they attack only to hurt. They are not murderers.” No further attacks were reported this morning. Liverpool, without Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, face the Italian side, who lie fourth in Serie A, at 7pm local time tonight.

 

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Europa League: Napoli vs. Liverpool – Full Time Analysis


Europa League: Napoli vs. Liverpool – Full Time Analysis

Posted By: Michael Anderson
7 hours, 37 minute(s) ago

Europa League: Napoli vs. Liverpool – Full Time Analysis

Liverpool’s season and Wayne Rooney’s transfer saga are probably the two major headlines this season; and there were no further developments on the Rooney saga. And actually not much happened for Liverpool either, as the Reds ended another toothless display on the pitch against Napoli and ended their Europa League tie at 0-0.

In truth, it was a good performance from Liverpool, in midfield at least, and as far as creating chances was concerned. However, the final product was what was missing. The first half was stop-start affair; in the first few minutes after both teams had sized each other up, it was Liverpool who got the lion’s share of possession, but still Napoli kept the door closed.

The Reds created several opportunities but there was simply no way through and the first half ended at 0-0. Fans and players were hoping things would change in the 2^nd half, and there were some changes made. Sotirios Kyrgiakos came on for Jamie Carragher - who had an injury worry. David N’Gog, for a second, fooled everyone and many though a 2^ndsubstitution was made, but in fact he had come back with a wrong shirt and had to be sent back by the referees.

The 2^nd half started with the home team in possession, and Andrea Dossena bustled his way towards the Liverpool area but saw his driving run ended well by Martin Kelly. Once again, there was a good chance for Napoli: Walter Gargano fed Edinson Cavani in the area, but Paul Konchesky did well to put the striker off and the ball was easily claimed by Pepe Reina. Moments later, there was the 2^nd yellow card of the match. Michele Pazienza was booked as he stuck his studs into Jay Spearing's face as Jay attempted a low header.

Liverpool got on the ball and Milan Jovanovic tried his luck from outside the area, but the shot was quite high, wide and - well - ugly. As Liverpool continued to squander chances, Napoli were growing in confidence. Edinson Cavani powered a header at goal from eight yards out from Hugo Campagnaro's inch perfect cross but was off target. Napoli continued to test the Liverpool backline and Sotirios Kyrgiakos did well to cut out Ezequiel Lavezzi's cross.

Soon after, Marek Hamsik got in the space between midfield and defence and sparked another decent Napoli attack involving Edinson Cavani – however, like the pattern of the match, the final ball was very poor and the attack once again fizzled out. Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson brought on Fabio Aurelio on for Paul Konchesky, looking to change things. Soon there was half a chance for Liverpool: Napoli keeper Morgan de Sanctis saved comfortably after David N’Gog headed goal-wards from Martin Kelly's cross.

Not long after, there was another chance. Milan Jovanovic pounced on an error by Salvatore Aronica and his slid-rule pass gifted Liverpool forward Ryan Babel a clean shot on goal from the left-side of the area - but the Dutchman's side-footed effort was kept out by the keeper's legs and that pretty much summed up the night for Liverpool. Babel had failed to score on almost en empty goal.

The match ended goalless and Roy Hodgson quickly made his way down the tunnel scratching his head, and wondering what he needs to do to get things right for Liverpool.