CNN
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Around 70 fans of Spanish club Real Sociedad were attacked by Lazio ultras in Rome on Wednesday, a Rome Capital Police spokesman told CNN.
According to police, the attack by 80 suspected Lazio ultras – a staunch faction of the club’s fans – took place at a nightclub in the center of the Italian capital, close to the Colosseum in the Monti neighborhood. Lazio and Real Sociedad are set to play each other in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Nine people were taken to a local hospital, three of whom were stabbed, and others were beaten with metal chains, hammers and leather straps, police said. A spokesperson for San Giovanni Hospital told CNN that three people are being treated at the hospital, while several people have refused treatment.
City councilor Nathalie Naeem posted footage of the violence on Facebook. writing: “Scenes of battle in Ravenmont tonight. Thunder of violent explosions, sky turning red, screams, buildings shaking, people running from various premises.
“Groups of Spanish and Lazio fans dressed in black, some with helmets and armed with bats, knives, jacks and hammers, confronted each other in a pub on Via Leonina where they threw paper bombs … police officers and financial police. Interfered with riots and ambulances.
“When everything was over after a few hours, the police advised not to circulate in the district.”
CNN has reached out to Lazio for comment.
“The images of the attacks against Spanish fans in Rome last night are shameful and unacceptable,” Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said on Thursday. “Rome strongly rejects scenes of madness that offend the city, its citizens and the spirit of the game.
“I am sure that the police investigation will soon shed light on those responsible, because Italy’s capital does not want to be remembered for such brutality and does not deserve it.”
The Lazio ultras, also known as the “Irriducibili”, are notorious for their links to the far right in Italy, as well as for engaging in violent and anti-Semitic behaviour.
In 2019, Lazio fans Filmed doing the fascist salute. and displaying a banner in support of former Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini before an Italian Cup game in Milan.
Two years earlier, the club was widely condemned after supporters placed stickers around Rome’s Stadio Olimpico. Portraying Holocaust victim Anne Frank Wearing a shirt of city rivals Roma with anti-Semitic slogans.
Police say security will be beefed up ahead of Thursday’s Europa League match. Lazio currently top the group having won five and drawn one of their first six matches, while Real Sociedad are 12th and looking to climb into the automatic qualification spots.
