Tensions between Napoli's organized fan base and president Aurelio De Laurentiis have reached a new height of head-on conflict.
In the past few hours, a flyer jointly signed by the ultras of Curva A and Curva B has appeared around the city, representing a harsh response to the recent statements of the owner, who in an interview with RSI had downplayed the dissent by speaking of a minority of "outlaws" among stadium-goers.
The Ultras' attack: "We're not on the market."
The heart of the controversy lies in the words the president used to describe the criticism leveled at him, often attributing it to a fringe group of troublemakers. De Laurentiis had stated that he felt "loved by the majority" (speaking of 85 million fans worldwide) and criticized by a 10-15% percentage of ultras who, he said, "in most cases, are outlaws," citing the incidents in Milan as an example.
The response from the Napoli ultras was immediate and scathing, delivered in a statement that leaves no room for interpretation:
"You've tried to buy us from day one, but we've never been on the market and you still haven't accepted that! You keep calling us gangsters and delinquents, but the investigators' documents contradict you! In Holland, you demonstrated your way of being president, keeping quiet about the abuses suffered by your "people"! To stop with the comparisons, go easy... we are the Napoli ultras... not Milan!"
The message not only rejects the accusation of illegality ("the investigators' documents contradict you"), but also directly accuses the president of attempted corruption ("You've tried to buy us from day one"). The reference to the "abuse suffered by your 'people' in Holland" is particularly venomous—a clear reference to the clashes and disruptions that have affected Azzurri fans during some European away matches, where the ultras complain about the club's poor defense.
Saviano in the crosshairs: "Parasite"
In addition to the Azzurri patron, the flyer also takes a frontal attack on writer and journalist Roberto Saviano, a notorious critic of organized crime. The ultras accuse him of exploiting the situation:
"Now here are the ultras! You've built your notoriety on our city's problems! 'La paranza dei bambini' is the ultimate profit, now you're targeting the ultras for your next story... But this time, not even copy and paste can help you... Go to the prosecutor's office, get informed... You can't exploit the Napoli ultras! Saviano is a parasite!"
The reference to "La paranza dei bambini" underscores the writer's perceived cynicism, accusing him of "building his fame" on Naples' social issues and now targeting the ultras for "his next story," sarcastically urging him to inquire "at the prosecutor's office" about their legal position.
The atmosphere is thus becoming heated: the ultras' frontal attack on De Laurentiis reopens a never-healed wound between the presidency and the most fervent fans, at a time when the team needs unity.
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Comments (1)
It's very interesting what happened between De Laurentiis and the ultras. I think there's too much tension and the communication isn't clear. Let's hope it's resolved soon for the good of Napoli.