Two Chelsea supporters have reportedly been stabbed in Naples and are currently receiving hospital treatment for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, casting a shadow over the build-up to Wednesday night's crucial Champions League group stage match between Chelsea and Napoli.
Social Media Posts and Witness Accounts
One fan, using the social media handle 'cfcmarcuss', posted a graphic image of his blood-soaked hand online with a stark warning. He wrote: 'Nobody go out in Naples tonight is ROUGHH Got stabbed.' Witnesses to the disturbing events allege that the Chelsea fans were attacked while walking to a bar. One individual claimed that his friend was pursued by a group of approximately 25 Napoli ultras down a street before being stabbed.
Chelsea's Official Response and Safety Warnings
Chelsea Football Club has issued an urgent statement on social media, confirming awareness of the incident. The club stated: 'The club is aware of an incident that took place on Tuesday evening in Naples. Two fans are being treated in hospital, having sustained non-life-threatening injuries.'
The statement continued with a strong safety advisory: '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.' This warning comes as local police and Napoli football club have yet to make an official comment on the reported stabbings. Naples has a notorious reputation as a potentially dangerous destination for visiting football supporters.
Match Arrangements and Security Measures
Approximately 2,500 tickets have been allocated to Chelsea fans for the match at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium. In response to the tense situation, authorities have arranged for a police escort to accompany free shuttle buses transporting these supporters to the ground, in an effort to ensure their safety.
History of Violence in Naples
This is not an isolated incident for Napoli's home fixtures. Last October, the club's ultras were involved in a major confrontation with Sporting Lisbon fans before a Champions League match, which escalated into a large-scale brawl where chairs were thrown. Furthermore, during a fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023, significant violence erupted, leading to eight arrests and 470 travelling supporters being expelled from the country. That episode saw several police cars set alight and resulted in injuries to two police officers.
Champions League Stakes for Both Teams
The match holds high stakes for both sides. Chelsea currently occupies the last automatic qualification spot in their Champions League group. A victory over Napoli would secure their passage to the last-16, while a draw or defeat could force them into a two-legged play-off. The Blues' away form in the competition has been concerning, with a draw against Qarabag followed by losses to Atalanta and Bayern Munich.
Napoli, the Italian champions, find themselves five points behind Chelsea in the group standings and in 25th place overall. They require a win to climb into the play-off round, adding further intensity to the encounter. Chelsea have travelled to Italy with a squad including Cole Palmer, under the guidance of new boss Liam Rosenior.
