Florence - Insults, shoving and a cowardly attack: this is what a journalist and a cameraman from CalcioNapoli24 TV had to endure yesterday in Florence, hit by a wave of territorial racism at the end of the match won by Napoli against Fiorentina.
The incident, which shocked the sports media world, occurred near the Artemio Franchi Stadium, while the two professionals were live reporting on the post-match.
According to the reconstruction provided by the broadcaster itself, their correspondent, Manuel Guardasole, and cameraman Vittorio Bernardo, were surrounded by small groups of Fiorentina fans. "You better get out of here" and "go away, you piece of shit" are just some of the territorial insults directed at the two cameramen, while the microphones were open.
The height of the violence was reached when one of the thugs forcefully pushed the cameraman, going so far as to move the camera towards a wall to interrupt the broadcast.
The attack, which occurred in broad daylight and without any provocation from journalists, refocuses the spotlight on a never-ending problem: the anti-Southern hatred that continues to manifest itself in stadiums across northern Italy.
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This is not an isolated incident, but the latest in a series of despicable and senseless acts plaguing Italian football. Territorial discrimination, often disguised as taunting, translates into concrete acts of violence that go far beyond simple cheering.
A tough stance from the director of CalcioNapoli24, who calls for the League's intervention.
CalcioNapoli24 director Salvio Passante expressed his firm condemnation of the incident, announcing that the broadcaster will reserve the right to take appropriate action to protect its employees.
"We hope that serious measures will be taken," the broadcaster reiterated, hoping for a decisive response from the authorities and the Lega Calcio to combat a phenomenon that is poisoning Italy's most beloved sport.
The Florence incident serves as a warning: the battle against local racism, which manifests itself through banners, chants, and attacks, is not yet won and requires constant and rigorous commitment from all football stakeholders.
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