Every effort is being made to avoid any possible confrontation.'Ī planned match between England and Italy fans – a tradition ahead of matches - was scrapped earlier this week after the organiser received threatening emails from Ultras groups. 'Buses will be laid on for the English supporters from the port to the stadium but we appreciate others may want to take public transport. Local prefect Claudio Palomba said: 'There has been an exchange of information between us and British colleagues and we have agreed a security plan for the match. Gareth Southgate's side are aiming to get their Euro 2024 qualifying game off to a good startĮngland fans will be kept behind in the stadium until the area has been cleared of local fans with the guidance being they could stay there until midnight.īritish police have spoken to their counterparts in Naples and a meeting between them to discuss tactics was also held in the city on Tuesday. Phone chargers and power banks will also not be allowed into the stadium and may well be confiscated and not returned to fans.Ī fleet of 20 local buses has been set aside to take fans from the port area of Naples to the stadium around four miles away from 4pm on match day – although police say they expect fans to also use public transport. Usually for England away matches ticket collection points are set up but this time the official supporters club has told fans tickets will be issued electronically to avoid large groups congregating and creating a potential target.Ī message on the English FA website also advises fans not to wear belts as these will be removed by police as they are seen as potential weapons. In January there were violent scenes at a motorway service station after Napoli and AS Roma fans clashed as they were on their way to respective away games and 33 people were arrested. Naples hasn't hosted an Italy game for ten years and although most focus their attention on the city's high flying Serie A side there are fears the club's notorious Ultras will relish a confrontation with England fans. One group who darted into bushes to urinate were rounded up by police and swiftly told to find a toilet or they would be arrested as authorities maintained a tight grip.Įxtra reinforcements have been drafted in with police patrolling potential flashpoints in the historic city centre, the railway station and the port area which has been set up as a meeting point for England fans. There is unease in Naples after violent clashes when Frankfurt came to the city last week
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