Milan: A 26-year-old supporter of Serie A club Atalanta was fatally stabbed during violent clashes with Inter Milan fans in the northern Italian city of Bergamo, police authorities confirmed on Sunday. The fatal altercation is the latest in a troubling series of football-related violence incidents in Italy.
According to Italy’s Carabinieri police, the confrontation erupted late Saturday night following a heated exchange in a local pub, reportedly triggered by a provocative chant from an Inter Milan fan. The verbal dispute escalated into a physical confrontation on a nearby street close to Atalanta’s Gewiss Stadium.
Carmelo Beringheli, head of the Carabinieri office in Bergamo, told Reuters that an Inter supporter stabbed the Atalanta fan during the street clash. Emergency responders arrived quickly at the scene but were unable to save the victim’s life. A teenager has since been arrested in connection with the incident and told authorities he acted in defense of his brother, according to Beringheli.
The violence casts another shadow over Italian football, where fan-related incidents have become an increasing concern. Just last month, 13 police officers were injured during violent clashes between AS Roma and Lazio supporters ahead of the Rome derby.
In tribute to the deceased, Atalanta fans displayed a commemorative banner during their team’s 4-0 away victory over Monza on Sunday.
“What happened to our fan must never happen again,” Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini said during the post-match press conference.
While Atalanta’s management has yet to release an official statement, the incident has already drawn condemnation from several corners of the footballing world, intensifying calls for tighter security and preventive measures during match days.
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This tragic episode follows similar incidents in Italy involving international fans. In 2023, a Paris Saint-Germain supporter was seriously injured in Milan after being stabbed ahead of a Champions League match against AC Milan. In a separate incident the same year, a 58-year-old Newcastle United fan was hospitalized after being stabbed by hooded assailants in Milan, also before a Champions League game.
As investigations continue, Italian authorities are under renewed pressure to crack down on football hooliganism and ensure safer environments for fans attending matches.
