Chelsea Football Club has issued a stark safety warning to travelling supporters after two fans required hospital treatment in Naples ahead of Wednesday night's crucial Champions League encounter. The Premier League side has explicitly urged all visiting supporters to exercise extreme caution while in the Italian city, which has a notorious reputation for incidents involving away fans.
Hospitalised Supporters Prompt Official Warning
The club confirmed awareness of an incident that occurred on Tuesday evening in Naples, stating that two supporters sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were receiving medical attention in hospital. In an official statement posted on their social media channels, Chelsea emphasised: 'The club would like to remind all supporters to exercise extreme caution whilst in the city and take note of the advice shared ahead of this fixture.'
Pre-Arranged Safety Measures for Visiting Fans
Approximately 2,500 Chelsea supporters are expected to attend the match at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, where safety protocols have been carefully established. Supporters have been instructed to gather at a designated location several hours before kick-off, from where they will receive a police escort directly to the stadium grounds. These measures reflect longstanding concerns about fan safety in Naples during European competitions.
Unverified social media reports suggested the injured fans may have been stabbed, though Chelsea officials have not confirmed these details. The club had previously issued travel warnings earlier this month, noting that 'during Uefa competition matches, attacks on away fans have sometimes occurred in Naples.'
High-Stakes Champions League Encounter
The match represents the final round of group stage fixtures in Europe's premier club competition, with Chelsea aiming to secure a top-eight finish that would guarantee progression to the knockout stages. Avoiding defeat would enable the London club to bypass next month's play-off round entirely, adding significant competitive importance to an already tense atmosphere.
This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns for football supporters travelling abroad for European fixtures, particularly in cities with documented histories of fan violence. Chelsea's repeated warnings underscore the perceived risks associated with this specific fixture, despite organised security arrangements.
