Naples – Yesterday, a dramatic turn of events unfolded in a Naples courtroom, restoring the freedom of movement of a familiar face among the stands at the San Paolo stadium. The ultra, a 40-year-old with a criminal record linked to a criminal group in the northern Neapolitan hinterland, was acquitted of violating the DASPO (Stadium Ban)—the stadium entry ban imposed to prevent incidents of ultra violence—by single judge Luca Purcaro of the Fifth Criminal Section.
Furthermore, the magistrate immediately revoked the ban on residence in the city of Naples, a precautionary measure notified at the end of the summary hearing held following his arrest, dated October 2024.
The story dates back to a night of football passion, that of the European Champions League group stage match between Walter Mazzarri's Napoli and Sporting Lisbon. The atmosphere, already electric with anticipation for a crucial match for the Azzurri, escalated on Via Toledo, in the beating heart of Naples' historic center.
Here, a group of Neapolitan fans, including the defendant, clashed with a delegation of Portuguese supporters arriving for the match. A brawl ensued involving six Napoli ultras: three of them, including the defendant, were arrested for assault and resisting a police officer, while the other three were simply charged and released.
Stopped by the State Police—with the DIGOS (Italian Special Operations Unit) on the front lines monitoring the risks associated with organized fan support—the supporters were accused of attacking their rivals with punches, kicks, and improvised objects, in an incident that threatened to tarnish the image of a city long devoted to football but marked by years of ultra tension.
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The ultra in question, already known to the news for previous ties to criminal factions in the Phlegraean area, had been carrying a banishment order (BASSA) effective since 2020, issued precisely for similar violent behavior during Serie A matches.
Tenaciously defended by lawyer Emilio Coppola, the lawyer built his strategy on a series of pieces of evidence: from surveillance camera footage that, according to the defense, does not show him at the forefront of the altercation, to the inconsistencies in the testimonies of the Portuguese fans, confused by the adrenaline of the moment.
"There is no unequivocal evidence of his active participation," Coppola argued in court, "and the DASPO, however severe, cannot be a noose around his neck without solid foundations."
Judge Purcaro, after a brief hearing, ruled in favor of the defense: a full acquittal due to insufficient evidence, with the consequent cancellation of the restrictive measure that had forced the defendant into exile from his native Naples.
Comments (1)
It's interesting that this case of acquittal occurred in the Naples court. Similar cases are common, but few end in a favorable verdict. We hope this can lead to a change in the perception of ultras.