Video footage has captured the moment Italian police 'attacked England fans' ahead of their country's Euro 2024 qualifier with Italy in Naples.
Gareth Southgate's side kicked off their qualification campaign for next summer’s European Championship with a daunting away game against the side which beat them in the final in the summer of 2021.
The match was played against the backdrop of serious concern regarding fan trouble. And video obtained by Mirror Sport shows fans were charged by baton-wielding Italian police as they queued to get into the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples.
Eyewitness reports claimed one elderly man was knocked unconscious as officers waded into England's travelling supporters indiscriminately before the Euro 2024 qualifying opener, reports The Mirror.
READ MORE: England fan has Italy ticket ripped up over offensive Diego Maradona banner
It was unclear what sparked the incident but peace was quickly restored before it escalated into something even more serious. One supporter told The Mirror: “This was completely unprovoked and unwarranted attack.
“It could have escalated very quickly but many England fans managed to calm the situation down.”
Tensions were stoked pre-match when a travelling England fan was pictured with a flag carrying a message about the late Diego Maradona. The Argentine, who guided Napoli to their last Serie A title in 1990 passed in September 2020, with the city awash with tributes to the two-time World Cup winner.
The unnamed supporter, who is believed to be a part of the official England supporter club, was snapped with an England flag which carried the message “Diego’s in a box”. The FA subsequently confirmed his ticket had been blocked for the game, with Italian police warning he would be identified if he attempted to attend the game.
There were also outbreaks of the same message being chanted by a minority of fans during the first half of the game. Maradona, who scored the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England for Argentina at the 1986 World Cup, is adored in Naples having led Napoli to two league titles and the UEFA Cup.
Before kick-off, there were reports that a host of the 2,700 away fans were being packed onto coaches and sent in the opposite direction to the stadium. Those who did make into the stadium were treated to a stunning opening 45 minutes which saw the Three Lions establish a two-goal lead.
Declan Rice put the visitors in front after 13 minutes, turning home from a corner after Harry Kane's goal bound shot was blocked. And Kane then made it 2-0 shortly before the break when he scored his record-breaking 54th England goal.
Kane was handed a chance to not only break the record but also put his penalty miss in the World Cup loss to France behind him when England were awarded a penalty.
A VAR check ruled handball against Giovanni Di Lorenzo as referee Srdjan Jovanonic pointed to the spot after checking his pitchside monitor. The England skipper stepped up and made no mistake, sending Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way to claim an unrivalled 54th England goal.
It was a different story in the second half however, with the reigning European champions forcing their way back into the contest. Mateo Retegui halved the Italians' deficit 11 minutes after the break, with England having to battle to cling on to their lead.
The Three Lions were reduced to 10 men late into the second half when Luke Shaw was shown two yellow cards in the space of 54 seconds. But Gareth Southgate's side hung on to send the travelling fans into raptures.
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