Verona say anti-Napoli chants “hurt the image of a whole city”, but call for fairness from the authorities.
The Butei were fined €30,000 after fans directed anti-southern chants at the visiting supporters and Lorenzo Insigne, and could face further punishment if offensive chanting continues.
Verona say anti-Napoli chants “hurt the image of a whole city”, but call for fairness from the authorities.
The Butei were fined €30,000 after fans directed anti-southern chants at the visiting supporters and Lorenzo Insigne, and could face further punishment if offensive chanting continues.
“Hellas Verona FC, with regard to some of the incidents in the Napoli game, regret that they unjustly hurt the image of a whole city, a cultural heritage which welcomes millions of tourists and a club which has always fought in favour of healthy supporting and fair play in sport,” a statement on the club’s website begins.
“If these behaviours, from which we disassociate ourselves, re-occur in the next home game with Crotone even more drastic measures are being threatened, such as the closure of certain sections of the Bentegodi.
“These consequences would not only damage the club but the team, who would be deprived of a fundamental element of their own support.
“Therefore the club – while hoping that those responsible for observing the games and, by extension, the Giustizia Sportiva will always act in fairness with their judgements, considering just as firmly the serious insults and defamatory expressions pertaining to our city, our fans and our players – invites our supporters to keep up their warm backing of the team, which makes them unique in the football landscape.”