Violence in the streets of Rome: Bloody clashes precede the match between Lazio and Real Sociedad, and 9 people are injured.

Announcement

The attack occurred before the Europa League match between the two teams, where masked Lazio fans, dressed in black, targeted about 70 Spanish fans who were in the city to attend the match.

The clashes resulted in nine people being injured, including three who were stabbed. One of the three injured was released from the hospital after 12 days of treatment, while the other two are still under medical observation, one of whom is in stable but critical condition. As for the rest of the injured, they left the hospital with a medical diagnosis of between five and eight days to recover.

Although the attackers fled when police arrived, authorities were able to confiscate an array of weapons, including batons, hammers, and other sharp tools. Videos posted on social media show scenes of rioting in the streets, with both sides exchanging attacks with tools and paper bombs, amid racist chants and homophobic shouts from some Lazio fans.

Investigations are still underway to determine the identity of the attackers, as police are reviewing surveillance camera recordings in the area surrounding the site of the clashes. These efforts come in light of fears of an escalation in violence as the match scheduled for Thursday evening approaches.

Meanwhile, Lazio issued a statement condemning the events, stressing its intention to fully cooperate with the authorities and take strict action against any fan proven to be involved. For his part, Real Sociedad club president, Jokin Aberbay, visited the injured fans who were still in the hospital, and stated, “These events have no place in sports, and we must work to prevent them inside and outside the stadiums.”

Despite the condemnations, concerns have been raised about the impact these events would have on the atmosphere surrounding the match. The Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, expressed his strong condemnation of the violence, and stated, “Rome strongly rejects these scenes that distort the city’s image and harm its sporting spirit.” He expressed his confidence in the authorities’ ability to detect the perpetrators and hold them accountable.

In light of this tension, the authorities declared a state of high alert in preparation for the match, which will be held at the Olimpico Stadium. Everyone hopes that the match will pass peacefully, without any additional incidents that may affect the image of the Italian capital.