Match ended with violence and missiles thrown
LEICESTER City’s Europa League tie with Napoli ended with violence in the stands, writes Jordan Blackwell.
Police officers had to wade into the crowd at the full-time whistle at the King Power Stadium after home and away supporters clashed.
Missiles were launched between the two sets of fans and skirmishes broke out in the corner where the away end meets the north family stand.
City supporters clambered over the netting dividers to confront their rivals from Napoli, while video footage shows away fans removing their belts to use as weapons.
Stewards were initially overwhelmed and dozens of police officers had to step in to separate the fights. After a couple of minutes, the police gained control of the situation, though missiles continued to be thrown in both directions.
Multiple announcements had to be made over the speaker system telling City fans in the blocks either side of the away end to leave the ground and “respect your club”.
Napoli supporters were kept back until the rest of the stadium had been cleared.
At 11.15pm, the police’s Leicester City events Twitter account said: “Behaviour by some was a disgrace. Well done and thank you to those who didn’t get involved.”
The match was City’s first European game with fans in attendance for over four years, since the Champions League quarter-final in 2017.
Only last week Uefa updated its rules to permit away fans to attend Europa League fixtures.
City have their first away Europa League game of the campaign in a fortnight, against Legia Warsaw. They do not travel to Naples until December.