More than 200 people were injured during a wild night of celebrations after Napoli won their first Serie A title in 33 years.
After the final whistle, numerous fans stormed onto the pitch of the Friuli Stadium in Udine, beating each other with their belts in violent scenes. Men crouched on the ground, covering their heads to avoid the blows.
At least 203 people ended up in hospital overnight for injuries sustained during the celebrations – from stab wounds to firecracker burns to asthma attacks caused by inhaling smoke from flares.
The celebrations erupted after Napoli sealed the Serie A title with a 1-1 draw against Udinese and equaled the league record by clinching victory with five games to go.
It is Napoli’s first championship since Diego Maradona led the club to their first two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990.
A Udinese fan attacks a Napoli fan with his belt in chaotic scenes at the Friuli Stadium in Udine on Thursday night
Fans clash on the pitch and hit each other with belts after the game as Napoli fans celebrate the win
Napoli fans celebrate Thursday in Naples, Italy, after winning the Serie A championship near the mural of Diego Armando Maradona
There were chaotic scenes in Naples last night as Napoli fans drove through the stadium in open cars
A Napoli fan is overcome with emotion after his team won the first Scudetto in 33 years
Police said Vincenzo Costanzo, 26, was shot dead in a crowd in Naples but said his death was “entirely unrelated” to the celebrations.
Costanzo was a member of the D’Amico crime family, which was embroiled in a bitter feud with rivals from another clan.
Naples Police Chief Claudio Palomba said at least seven bullets were fired and all indications pointed to a hit in gang violence between members of the Camorra, the city’s organized crime group.
Costanzo was found bleeding profusely on the ground along with three others, one of whom was his girlfriend, and all were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Doctors struggled to save Costanzo but he was pronounced dead while the others were treated for minor injuries and are expected to be discharged from hospital in a couple of days.
Later, medical authorities in Naples released an updated report saying a staggering 203 people had been treated across the city after winning the title.
Officials said 22 were in serious condition, having suffered burns, head injuries and broken bones after being struck by firecrackers or falling from scooters and cars.
Among the injured were three police officers who were attacked while attempting to route crowds, but were not seriously injured.
Thousands poured into Naples’ main square at Piazza Plebiscito, waving flags and banners, and many climbed lampposts and onto balconies in their exuberance.
60,000 fans packed the sold-out Diego Maradona stadium to watch the game live on giant screens as it was broadcast back from Udine, 800km away.
They were whipped into a frenzy with a music and light show before kick-off, but the atmosphere died decisively after just 13 minutes when Udinese took the lead through Sandi Lovric after just 13 minutes.
However, top scorer Victor Osimhen’s second-half equalizer secured the lone point needed and sparked mad scenes of celebration in Napoli as the side held an unassailable 16-point lead with five games to go.
Riot police clash with football fans after raiding the pitch at Friuli Stadium last night
Men crouched on the ground and covered their heads to avoid the blows of the belts
Scores of fans stormed onto the pitch at Friuli Stadium in Udine before being attacked by police officers
Over 200 people required medical attention amid chaotic scenes of fireworks and flares being fired
Celebrations erupted in Naples after the Napoli soccer team secured the Scudetto trophy
Thousands of Napoli fans crowded the streets of Naples after their team won the Serie A title after 33 years
Napoli fans celebrate their Serie A win in Naples on Thursday night
Naples erupted in celebration after their soccer team won their first Scudetto in 33 years
Napoli clinched their first title in 33 years after Victor Osimhen’s equalizer in their 1-1 draw with Udinese – sparking celebrations across the city
Luciano Spalletti’s side ended the triumph five games from the end of the league
Napoli players dance on tables as they celebrate winning the Serie A title in Udine on Thursday
Earlier in the week, the British consulate in Naples – a city popular with tourists from the UK – warned visitors about the expected reaction to the title win.
It said: “After the Serie A football championship, impromptu celebrations are expected to take place across Naples from late April to early May.
“If you are visiting Naples during this time, be prepared for transport delays due to busy roads and possible road closures.
“Expect large crowds and the use of loud fireworks. Stay alert and watch your personal belongings.’
Naples police had banned the use of firecrackers to reduce casualties and traffic was also blocked from the center to try to stop the gridlock.
But as England fans found out two months ago when they visited the city during a “liquor ban”, the edict was more of a suggestion than a strictly enforced rule.
Napoli fans drove around in topless cars and celebrated their team’s victory
Fans took to the streets in Naples as the club’s long wait to win the Scudetto ended
Thousands of Napoli fans crowded the streets of Naples after their team won the Serie A title after 33 years
Naples erupted in celebration after their soccer team won their first Scudetto in 33 years
Thousands of Napoli fans crowded the streets of Naples after their team won the Serie A title after 33 years
Naples erupted in celebration after their soccer team won their first Scudetto in 33 years
A Napoli fan is overcome with emotion after the team won their first Serie A title in 33 years
Napoli fans embrace after the team won their first Serie A title in 33 years
Napoli fans drove around in topless cars and celebrated their team’s victory
Fans waved blue and white flags in the colors of Napoli as part of a late-night celebration
Fans enjoyed the incredible moment after it was confirmed they had won Serie A
Napoli fans set flares as they watch the Serie A soccer match between Udinese and Napoli on a big screen at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy on Thursday
Nigerian striker Osimhen led the celebrations in the Udine dressing room and pictures on social media showed the players dancing wildly and singing loudly.
He said: “I’m happy for all Napoli fans worldwide. Nobody deserves the Scudetto more than the Neapolitans – more than we do.
“I don’t care who scored, I just wanted to get the Scudetto.
“I want to enjoy this moment for the rest of my life. Then my other dreams can come after the season.’
There were also celebrations in London’s Soho, where dozens of expatriate Italians had gathered to watch the game at pizzerias and restaurants.
Local authorities in Naples now planned that the party would continue for several more days and awaited the team’s return from Udine with people expected to line the streets from the airport.
Napoli previously won the title in 1987 and 1990 when Diego Maradona played for the southern Italian team and is worshiped as a god by devoted fans with several shrines dedicated to him across the city.
Authorities had tried to ban the setting off of fireworks, but the proposal was ignored
Fans aboard a blue and white car cruise the streets amid the celebrations
Blue and white flags could be seen in city streets for weeks as they approached the title
It is the third Scudetto won by the club, the others coming when Diego Maradona played for the club in 1987 and 1990
Statues and monuments crowded as the city celebrated a historic moment
Torches are lit as the party got in full swing following Thursday night’s draw in Udine
A fan covered in blue face paint and wearing a crown waves a flag amid the celebrations