Clashes between Genoa and Sampdoria fans escalate

1 week ago 15

Police are concerned after battles broke out in the city streets between rival Genoa and Sampdoria ultras.

The situation surprisingly erupted on Sunday night following Sampdoria’s Serie B victory over Reggiana at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa, also known commonly as Marassi.

There were reports of bottles and chairs being thrown in Piazza Alimonda, when Samp supporters crossed paths with Genoa fans watching their Serie A match against Milan on television in a bar.

Police managed to intervene, but this evidently sparked a desire for revenge and lit a fire under the city, as there were more violent clashes on Monday afternoon.

The authorities were called after two Genoa fans were ambushed by four Sampdoria ultras, with one stabbed in the arm.

The rivalry between Genoa and Sampdoria has always been tense, but the worst of it was avoided this year because they are in two different divisions, so have not faced each other in the Derby della Lanterna.

This is therefore seen as a worrying escalation in the city of Genoa and it is not clear what started it, but they fear it could spread rapidly.