Udinese fans stormed a train carrying Venezia supporters after their Serie A match on Saturday, causing a major melee that injured many individuals and resulted in eight arrests, Italian police said on Sunday.
Around 50 Italian and Austrian Udinese fans, many with their faces covered and holding flares and smoke bombs, occupied the tracks at Basiliano, near the northeastern city of Udine, where the home team had won 3-2.
They forced a train carrying Venezia supporters to halt, and several hundred fans on board stormed onto the platform, resulting in what police characterised as a “massive brawl.”
The clashes in the early evening lasted only a few minutes before officers, backed by a police helicopter, intervened.
Most Udinese supporters fled, and the Venezia fans reboarded the train, according to police.
Eight people were arrested, including five Austrians, one Bosnian, and one Albanian.
Several fans were injured, two of whom were taken to Udine hospital by ambulance, and three police officers were also injured.
The train left about 8:00 p.m. (1900 GMT), fewer than two hours after the incident began.
Both clubs condemned the violence, expressed sorrow for those hurt, and promised to work with authorities. Udinese stated that “those who tarnish the sport with violence are not fans.”
The match had been classed as high risk due to conflicts between the clubs in Venice on October 30th, during which Udinese fans were attacked outside the train station before going home.
On Saturday, police escorted some 1,200 Venezia fans from their trains to the stadium and back. Officers were also stationed at Basiliano in case of any disturbance from Udinese supporters.
According to the Italian press, Udinese hooligans were supported by ultras from the Austrian club Salzburg, with which they have relations.
