EINDHOVEN (Netherlands) – A high-risk match, an unprecedented operation. Dutch police arrested 230 Napoli fans the night before their Champions League match against PSV, in what is shaping up to be one of the largest public order operations ever carried out against Italian fans abroad.
The night of the arrests
In downtown Eindhoven on Monday evening, the situation escalated when numerous Napoli fans engaged in "provocative behavior," according to local police. Officers intervened en masse to prevent clashes with residents, making 230 arrests, effectively clearing the city center of Italian supporters.
The consequences: fines and bans
After being questioned overnight, all the arrested fans were released but received a heavy penalty: a fine and a ban from attending the match, as well as being banned from accessing Eindhoven city center. "All arrested fans in possession of tickets are prohibited from attending tonight's match," Dutch police confirmed.
The extraordinary security measures
The match was already classified as "high risk" and Dutch authorities applied special rules, including preventive searches of the entire area surrounding the stadium.
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The Italian response: Tajani and the Farnesina take the field
The case immediately activated Italian diplomacy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced: "We have been monitoring the situation since last night with our crisis unit at the Farnesina and our embassy." "The embassy in The Hague has already sent personnel, and the ambassador is also on his way. Five officials from the Italian DIGOS (Special Operations Unit) are also present."
Tajani also clarified the official position: "Anyone without a ticket to the match will be turned away, while those with tickets should go and watch the game." This is a clear attempt to distinguish between arrested fans and those who are legal, as the diplomatic crisis between Italy and the Netherlands over the treatment of Napoli fans escalates.
The episode represents one of the most serious diplomatic incidents related to football fans in recent years and risks having repercussions on Italian teams' upcoming European away matches.
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