More details are emerging about the ultras attack on the Cagliari squad, as Nicola Murru was physically struck.
The reports leaked out late Friday night, though the incident is said to have occurred in the afternoon.
A group of around 30 hooligans climbed over the gates and entered the club house at the Assemini training ground where the team was having lunch.
More details are emerging about the ultras attack on the Cagliari squad, as Nicola Murru was physically struck.
The reports leaked out late Friday night, though the incident is said to have occurred in the afternoon.
A group of around 30 hooligans climbed over the gates and entered the club house at the Assemini training ground where the team was having lunch.
They urged the side to sweat for the shirt and win Sunday’s game against Napoli – which is not entirely unusual behaviour from Italian ultras – or else there would be further protests.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the situation degenerated when some players turned their backs on the ultras, prompting a furious reaction.
The player physically attacked first was 20-year-old defender Nicola Murru, who received a slap to the face.
It’s reported another two or three players were also struck, while a scuffle broke out with staff and directors too.
The incident is believed to have lasted for around 20 minutes and the squad was so shaken that Coach Zdenek Zeman cancelled the afternoon training session.
The most disconcerting aspect of this is perhaps the club reaction, as Cagliari released their usual note on the website outlining the training schedule, but gave no reason for the lack of an afternoon session.
Only after rumours spread in the city and they were pressed by La Gazzetta dello Sport did President Tommaso Giulini break his silence.
“There was a very tough confrontation between the fans and team, but no violence.”
The squad has been in a training retreat since Tuesday after slipping to penultimate place in the Serie A table.