Napoli fans and police officer left with gunshot wounds as four are injured after violent clashes ahead of Coppa Italia final



Two football supporters and a plain clothes police officer have been wounded by gunshots during violent clashes in Rome.

One of the men was said to be in a critical condition after being hit in the chest while the two others were shot in the arms.

The wounded men are believed to be Napoli supporters, after they were ambushed by what was initially thought to be Roma Ultras. However, Police confirmed the shooting was not related to the game and was instead opportunistic criminals taking advantage of the situation. One man was shot in the chest and is currently undergoing surgery, while the two others - including the police officer - were shot in the arms and hands.



The violence caused a lengthy delay to the Coppa Italia final. Napoli and Fiorentina were meant to kick off at 8pm but there were lengthy discussions between club officials, police and fans about whether to play.

Wounded: A Napoli supporter suffered a gunshot wound after fans clashes, according to reports in Italy

Violence: He was shot during rioting ahead of the Italian Cup final last month

Chaos: Italian news sources are reporting a number of conflicting things

Napoli captain Marek Hamsik was even speaking with members of the Napoli Ultras to try and resolve the situation, before it was agreed that the game would go ahead at 8.45pm. Italian media sources reported a number of conflicting statements about the violence in the Tor di Quinto area of Rome, with different details emerging throughout the night.

TV station TG1 claim the gun was fired by a shopkeeper who was 'scared' by the Ultras, while newspaper La Repubblica say it might have been a nailbomb rather than a gunshot which caused the injuries. There were rumours that it a man had suffered a fatal injury in the incident, sparking the Napoli Ultras' calls for the game to be called off. Flares: Napoli fans throw flares ahead of kick off

Discussions: Napoli captain Marek Hamsik even spoke to Napoli Ultras to see if they game would go ahead or not

Discussions: Hamsik talks to a member of the Ultras to try and get the game to kick off

There was also a separate incident in Rieti, where a group of Fiorentina fans on their way to the final were attacked by Napoli supporters at a motorway service station - three men were treated for minor injuries.

Italian Police later confirmed the shootings were not linked to football, but instead were criminals taking advantage of the situation.

A statement said: 'A 30-year-old injured in the torso was taken to the Villa San Pietro hospital along with a 43-year-old man struck on the right hand.

'A third person, aged 32, was taken to the Santo Spirito hospital with gunshot wounds to an arm and a hand.

'The pistol presumably used in the shootings has been recovered. The investigators are listening to witness statements.

Missiles: Flares, fireworks and smoke grenades were thrown while kick off was delayed

Taken away: A fireman is carried away by colleagues after a firework exploded close to him - he was unhurt

'At the moment the triple event does not seem to be linked to any trouble between fans, but was rather a coincidence.'

The police officer is believed to be the man hit on the hand.



There has been chaos in the city all day, with huge traffic jams reported after 60,000 Fiorentina and Roma fans descended on the city.

Double: Lorenzo Insigne scored twice for Napoli who went on to beat Fiorentina 3-1 to win the Coppa Italia

Invasion: Napoli fans surround goalkeeper Pepe Reina after winning the trophy

While waiting for the game to start, flares, fireworks and smoke grenades were thrown onto the pitch.



One exploded close to a fireman who was taken away by colleagues but he was not injured.