A Chelsea supporter was stabbed in Naples on Tuesday ahead of the club’s Champions League clash against Napoli, leaving him and another fan hospitalised, the club confirmed.
The 22-year-old fan, identified only as Marcus, told reporters he and a group of Chelsea supporters were attacked in the city centre by a group of Napoli “ultras,” a term used for hardcore supporter groups in European football.
“We turned a corner – it wasn’t technically an alleyway, but it felt like one because there were no lights,” Marcus said. “There were about 20 or 30 people, all in black, walking towards us as soon as we made eye contact. Some people knew what was happening and ran straight away.”
Marcus, who was with seven or eight friends, said he was stabbed in the left cheek with what he believed was either a screwdriver or a Stanley blade. “I didn’t really feel it until I started running away. My left cheek felt heavy, and as soon as I touched it, my hand was covered in blood,” he said.
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Chelsea issued a statement confirming the incident, saying two fans sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were being treated in hospital. The club urged supporters to exercise extreme caution while in Naples.
Marcus was treated in hospital from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time and later reported the attack to police. He intends to attend Wednesday’s match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona before leaving Naples for Rome the following day.
The second injured fan was reportedly treated after being punched and kicked during the attack. UEFA has been contacted for comment.