As England fans attempted to enter the stadium for the qualifying matches, Italian police attacked them outside and even knocked one fan to the ground unconscious in a viral video
The EURO 2024 qualifiers have already taken place this week.
On March 23, England got over Italy with a score of 1-2 at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples to kick off the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers.
However, the fixture is in the headlines for some wrong reasons, have a look.
Italian police knockout England fan after attacking him with baton ahead of match vs Italy, video goes viral
When English fans attempted to enter the stadium for the qualifying, Italian police attacked them outside the stadium before the game, even knocking one of them unconscious.
In retaliation for the Azzurri’s victory over England in the Euro 2020 championship final in 2021, England defeated Italy 1-2 on Thursday in Naples.
England fans waiting outside the ground getting charged by Italian police
— Away Day Sleepers (@AwayDaySleepers) March 23, 2023
The game’s opening goal was scored by West Ham player Declan Rice for England, but Harry Kane now holds the record for most goals scored by the Three Lions thanks to his penalty in the 44th minute.
As England supporters sought to enter the stadium to cheer on their team against the home team, the Italian police attacked them with batons and hand shields. Some onlookers claimed that the cops had put a senior citizen into a coma.
#ItaliaInghilterra Tensione tra i tifosi inglesi e la polizia nelle fasi conclusive dell'ingresso allo stadio. Intervengono gli agenti dei reparti mobili con diverse cariche pic.twitter.com/9RSLk638ei
— Local Team (@localteamtv) March 23, 2023
Before the game, a fan of England was captured with a banner with the words “Diego in a box” and the name Diego Maradona on it. Indignation for the late Diego Maradona, who led Napoli to their final Serie A title in 1990, is said to have sparked the incident.
If he's doesn't get stabbed I'll be surprised pic.twitter.com/2bmd8GFrWK
— 💥 (@CM67_) March 23, 2023
Declan Rice and Harry Kane each scored goals for England at the end of the first half to give them a two-goal lead against the Italian hosts.
Forward Mateo Retegui of Italy scored the team’s first goal in the first 10 minutes of the first half thanks to an outstanding assist from Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Italy was unable to either win or level the game even after England’s Luke Shaw was sent off with 10 minutes remaining.
Italy will play Malta the next day at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium in the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers, while on Sunday, England will host Ukraine at Wembley Stadium.